The Benue State National Assembly Caucus has accused governor, Alia Hyacinth of alleged embezzlement of security votes which they says is responsibe for the increasing insecurity situation in the state.
According to the Caucus, over N3bn has been withdrawn from the state’s monthly security votes allocation by the governor.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Hon. Philip Agbese, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, further accused the governor of unlawful dissolution of Local Government Councils in the state.
In his words, he said, “You will recall when our leader here raised the issue of the dissolution of the democratically elected structure at the local government level in Benue State. In terms of providing governance, the local governments which is being controlled by the state government are very critical in ensuring the safety and security of our people.
“It’s quite unfortunate that this structure which ordinary should be at the grassroot to protect our people has be destroyed by the government of Benue State.
“The second very critical issue is the issue of security votes. From a very reliable sources, we have gathered that today the Benue State Governor has withdrawn over N3bn from the monthly allocation going to the state for security purpose.
“If you go to Benue State today, the security men that have been posted to our localities have no form of support from the state government. We don’t know what the governor is doing with the security vote that’s going to the state.
Hon. Agbese called on Mr President and the National Assembly to stop the Benue State governor from diverting the state’s security votes, stressing that if he continues unstoppable, the state will be continually exposed to attack by herdsmen and bandits.
He also called on the Service Chiefs to tender their resignation if incapable of curtailing the security challenges in the country.
“Lastly, it is very very important that if the service chiefs are not capable to handle the security situation…we are calling on them in a very subtle manner to tender their resignation so that Mr. President can appoint whoever is capable of carrying out this duty.
Speaking earlier, leader of the Caucus, Senator Abba Moro, said the caucus finds the unhealthy insecurity in Benue state unacceptable.
Senator Moro said, “recalled that recently security breaches have been reported in several parts of Benue state particularly in the Benue south senatorial district and zone B, Makurdi and Guma, Okokolo, Ogwunogbo, Ipole, Ugboju, Abugbe as well as Ikobi and several other communities in Apa LGA, Abo Umogidi in Entekpa ward of Otukpo local government came under attack by suspected herdsmen”.
The Senate Minority Leader further noted, “Ogwumogbo in Agatu LGA is literally occupied by herdsmen having sacked all residents of the community. A forest between Okokolo in Agatu and Agagbe in Gwer west LGA is Haven for kidnappers; this forest has become dangerous”.
He called on governor Alia, the Federal government and the security agencies to live up to their responsibility by providing security to the people of Benue.
“We equally call on the governor of Benue state government to live up to her responsibility by engaging security to confront the menace as not to do anything is not an option.
“We call on Nigeria Army to approve the setting up of forward operating bases in the affected areas without prejudice to the efforts made so far in fighting the menace of armed herdsmen attack”, he said.
