Benue Governor Alia Reports Major Security Improvements

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State declared that security has improved tremendously in the state over the last three years under his administration. Speaking at the state house, he attributed this positive development to effective collaboration between security forces and stakeholders, which has led to a reduction in the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and allowed many citizens, primarily agrarian, to return to their farms.

Alia noted that since 1999, insecurity had hindered agricultural activities, but his administration has made strides in restoring peace, resulting in fewer IDP camps. He highlighted the government's efforts to subsidize farm inputs, which has significantly increased agricultural production.

Alia also mentioned plans to assign security personnel to farming settlements to ensure safety for returning farmers. He urged the federal government to continue supporting agricultural initiatives and emphasized the need for local government autonomy, stating that Benue State is fully compliant with the Supreme Court judgment regarding local government autonomy.