Godwin Akor, Makurdi
Stakeholders from the Benue South Senatorial District Thursday rose from an expanded security meeting with the governor and pledged to support sustained implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law.
They equally pledged to support the war against kidnapping, cultism, banditry and other crimes in the area.
Governor Samuel Ortom had in his opening address, requested for a firm commitment from the stakeholders to collaborate with his administration in improving security in the area.
In a communique read by the Governor after the meeting, the Zone C stakeholders “unanimously agreed to support the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law” and also suggested the establishment of a security post in Agila, Ado Local Government Area to help resolve boundary issues in the area.
The meeting further resolved that the crisis arising from the boundary dispute between Taraku and Otukpo should be resolved as a matter of urgency while urgent steps are taken to address kidnappings in Adum and Ito areas of Obi local government area.
The leaders encouraged the periodic conduct of seminars and workshops for traditional rulers and other stakeholders to understand chieftaincy laws and their responsibilities as well as give orientation to youths on cultural values.
While commending Governor Samuel Ortom for decisively curtailing the spread of the dreaded Coronavirus in the state, the stakeholders also charged security agencies to strictly enforce Inter-State travels to further contain the spread of the virus in the state.
The meeting encouraged Benue people to intensively take up agricultural activities as the next foundation of the Nigerian economy following the near collapse of the international oil market.
It was part of the resolutions of the meeting that Vigilante Groups be repositioned with the inauguration of the Community Policing Advisory Council to complement conventional security agencies in the state.
Those present at the meeting included the Deputy Governor, Engineer Benson Abounu; Senator Abba Moro, serving House of Representatives members from Zone C, former Deputy Governor of the State, Chief Stephen Lawani; Och’Idoma, Elias Ikoyi Obekpa; Major General Lawrence Onoja (rtd) and Hon. Sam Ode, former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs among others.
