Benue declares plan to implement state police system

The Benue State Government has announced its full readiness to commence the implementation of a state police system.

The Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Internal Security, Chief Joseph Har, made the declaration in Makurdi during a stakeholders’ colloquium on state police. The event was jointly organised by Lawyers Alert and the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security.

Chief Har disclosed that the state has developed a public safety framework and a community-oriented security handbook. He explained that translating the operational training manuals into local languages will foster community participation in security management.

However, the Special Adviser expressed concerns regarding the fate of existing security personnel under the new arrangement. He warned that disbanding current grassroots structures without a clear integration plan could result in fresh security challenges across the state.

Governor Alia, represented by his Chief of Staff, Barrister Emmanuel Atagher, emphasised that any new operational framework  introduced must bring security institutions closer to the rural communities.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security, retired Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan, made mention of ongoing efforts to establish a Community Policing Committee.

Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, ECP Ogo Asikwa also assured stakeholders that the Nigeria Police Force is prepared to fully support the smooth establishment of state policing in Benue.