From Henry Ibya, Makurdi
Benue State government has launched Benue State Civil Protection Guards, BSCPG, and commissioned a special joint task force, ‘Operation Anyam Nyor’ to combat criminality and ensure the safety of all residents.
The state government also distributed 600 new operational motorcycles and 100 Hilux vans to security agencies operating in the state.
Performing the ceremony on Saturday in Makurdi, Governor Hyacinth Alia described the event as a significant milestone.
He said the civil protection guard which has a total of 5,000 personnel has the capacity to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies, stressing that development could not thrive in an atmosphere of crisis.
Alia, who emphasised his administration’s commitment to ensure the safety and security of all residents by prioritising security, described BSCPG as a crucial step towards achieving the goal.
He noted that the outfit would work to create an environment where people could live, farm, work and thrive without fear.
The governor expressed appreciation for the support of President Bola Tinubu, his fellow governors and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for assisting the state to enhance security.
He maintained that the joint security taskforce comprising all security formations would deploy personnel across the 23 local government areas to ensure that lives and property of citizens are protected, and called on youths to take advantage of the opportunity provided by government through the amnesty programme to embrace peace and surrender arms in their possession before the deployment of personnel to the affected communities.
In a remark, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, represented by the AIG Operations, Ali Mohammed, called on the people to embrace community policing to combat criminality in the state.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya said launching the security outfit was a preparation to the take off of state police and promised to support Governor Alia and the federal government to end insecurity in the country.
