The Alia government said the superior shooting power of the shepherd militia that hampered the law enforcement

The Governor of the State of Benue, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has associated the 2017 Anti-Opening Law Enforcement State which was opened with extraordinary countries from the power of armed herds militias compared to local security operators that were not equipped with poor implementation.

In a formal response to the increase in public criticism from civil society groups, especially the Benue Advocacy Network, Governor Alia, through its main press secretary, Kula Teroo, stated that the guardian of state protection, agents who were responsible for upholding the law, were legally limited to using their weapons and militias openly carrying rifle-military like the lords and taan as the semilis and ta-ta-ta.

“The governor has been very open about the problem of applying the law of anti-open grazing, because the enforcers … are not permitted to carry weapons except licensed weapons,” the statement said.

“But the unfavorable development is that these shepherds are protected by their militias carrying AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, even when grazing livestock.”

Alia expressed concern over the safety and capacity of state protection guards, showing that even the mobile police unit (mopol) – which was better trained and equipped – had suffered victims at the hands of this militia.

“If the Mopol cannot catch this armed hedger, is the country’s protection guard who does not have access to sophisticated weapons to be carried out?” He asked rhetorically.

The Governor further argues that the Anti-Opening Granding Act will only produce meaningful results if adopted at the national level, which will empower conventional security institutions with broader enforcement authorities throughout the country’s line.

He highlighted the difficulties caused by the lack of national reach, quoting an example where the perpetrators fled to neighboring Nasarawa, where the law did not apply, thus escapes the prosecution and made efforts to enforce laws that were in vain.

The Governor’s statement was responding to a statement that was very words issued by the Benue Advocacy Network, a civilian group led by President Enoch Ortese, who questioned the effectiveness of the state government approach to governance, transparency, and security amid attacks that worsen rural communities.

The group recorded a sharp increase in people who were moved internally (IDP) although the governor’s campaign promised to return the displaced population to their ancestral house within 100 days after serving. Instead, he accused that the government had expanded the temporary shelter camp.

“Instead of fulfilling his promise … The Governor has built additional camps and tents for neglected people,” said the group, demanding a clear plan and could be followed up for their safe residential.

The advocacy group also raised the issue of transparency, questioning the use of monthly security votes, the absence of complete infrastructure projects, and lack of local government autonomy. This asks for administration to publish financial revenue and expenditure reports, along with the details and costs of all contracts given.

In defending the financial records of his government, Governor Alia noted that he had succeeded in cleaning six of the seven months of arrears of salary inherited from the previous government, emphasizing his government’s commitment to fiscal responsibilities and long -term infrastructure development.