Killings: Police Beef Up Security Along Benue-Nasarawa Border

Killings: Police Beef Up Security Along Benue-Nasarawa Border

The Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa State, Ahmed Bello, says security has been strengthened along the Benue-Nasarawa border in the aftermath of the New Year’s Day killings in Benue State.

Bello said this on Thurdsay when he and the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Mr Silas Agara, visited communities along the border.

This comes three days after suspected herdsmen killed several people in Guma and Logo local government areas of Benue State.

Suspected herdsmen had launched fresh attacks on communities in both LGAs, killing more than 30 persons.

The attacks had continued into Tuesday, causing outrage and a protest in the state capital, Makurdi.

Also, in the aftermath of the attacks, thousands of Benue residents have fled to communities in Nasarawa State, including Awe community, leading to tension.

It was as a result of the growing tension that the deputy governor, the police commissioner, and other officials visited the communities.

“There is intensive patrol and surveillance in place. I am in constant touch with my counterpart in Benue and we are synergising and re-strategising our plans,” the Nasarawa State police chief said.

“I might move to Benue or he might cone so that we put heads together with a view to totally curtail this issue while the political leaders are doing their parts too.”

Also, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Habila Joshak, told Channels Television, that perpetrators would not go unpunished.

“Security stakeholders that you have seen here today are here to find a common ground to ensure that those who take laws into hands by any means are brought to justice,” he said.

“The next action to be taken has been discussed and you will see a robust security all round to ensure that lives and property are safe.”

On his part, the deputy governor assured the people of their safety.

“We are doing the best we can as a result of the circumstance in which we find ourselves,” Agara said, stressing that the government would do what any responsible government would do in such a situation.

He added that the state government would work with the relevant authorities in Benue State as well as with federal authorities to ensure peace.

“Hopefully when the security agencies from Benue and Nasarawa states meet we will be as to find lasting solution to this crisis we are confronted with,” he said.