By Ijeoma Obioma.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has intensified efforts to curb insecurity in Ukum Local Government Area with assurance of more troops deployment to protect farmers and restore economic activities in the area.
Alia gave assurance to the people through the Chairman of Ukum LGA, Jonathan Modi, who led a team of military personnel headed by the Sector Commander for Katsina-Ala, Ukum, Logo, and Buruku LGAs, Captain Balora, on a strategic assessment tour of communities in Ukum.
The move followed sustained attacks by armed herders and bandits that have crippled farming, displaced residents, and disrupted local markets.
Modi said the governor’s directive was aimed at enhancing safety and improving existing security protocols to safeguard farmlands and livelihoods.
He appealed to youths still hiding in the bush to surrender and abandon criminal activities, stressing that the government’s priority was restoring peace.
“I did not come here to hunt anybody. I’m here at the instance of the governor, and all that we want is for peace to return so our people can go back to farm,” Modi said.
The Mue Ter Ucha, HRH Utambe Nyagba, and President General of Ucha Development Association, Chief Booga Abull, lauded the governor’s intervention and pledged to assist security operatives with intelligence to facilitate their work.
The security assessment and deployment also covered Chito and Dyôm communities in Ukum which had suffered several attacks by bandits.
