By Amos Aar
THE BENUE State Security Council (SEC) has directed that the curfew in the entire Sankera area of the state where attacks were recently perpetrated should continue with a strict ban on protest in the entire axis until further notice.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Alia, Mr Tersoo Kula, said the governor approved the extension of the curfew last Thursday after a joint security meeting held at the Benue State Government House, Makurdi.
The statement added that SEC also approved the establishment of a security outfit, Bureau of Homeland Security in the state to coordinate and liaise between the Office of the Governor and the security agencies for immediate responses on security matters in Benue State.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Mr Sam Ode, said the SEC agreed that the Bureau be headed by a Director General to be appointed by the state governor.
The statement further disclosed that the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Makurdi Zonal Office, has recovered Benue girls who were reportedly trafficked to Ivory Coast and are currently in rehabilitation.
“According to the governor, the Council also agreed that a Judicial Panel of Inquiry should be set up by the government to look into the destruction of government and private properties in Ukum, as a result of the recent protest in the area.
“They equally frowned at the increasing number of illegal checkpoints in the state, urging all security agencies in the state to work together in synergy, so as to effectively combat crimes in Benue.
“While also insisting that the Benue State law against Matching Ground is still effective and operational and will soon be gazzetted and made available to the public, the Security Council also directed the Special Adviser on security to work in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, to organize a workshop and sensitize the people on the dangers of illicit drugs and human trafficking in the state.
“On the request for the allocation of plots of land to Federal Agencies to erect structures, the Benue State Security Council said extensive consultations should be carried out on the matter in order to ensure a fair treatment on all concerned.
“Relatedly, the Zonal Commander, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Makurdi Zonal Office, Gloria Iveren Bai, has said the Benue girls that were trafficked to Ivory Coast have been brought back home and are currently in rehabilitation.
“She spoke shortly after the Security meeting at the Government House, Makurdi, on Thursday.
“According to her, the lady who took them to Ivory Coast in the guise of getting a job for them has been arrested and will soon be charged to court.
“She commended the efforts of the Benue State government for ensuring the girls’ return back to the state, advising parents, guardians and job seekers to always be on the watch out, in order to safeguard against issues of trafficking”, the statement read in part.
