Alia Calls for Unity in Fighting Insecurity in Benue

George Okoh in Makurdi

Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has called on the people of Benue to remain resilient and united in the battle against insecurity in the state.
Governor Alia made this appeal yesterday during this year’s prayer pilgrimage for peace at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Baptist in Gboko.
He emphasised that achieving peace in the state requires collective effort to bridge divides, heal wounds, and build a society where every citizen can prosper.

“We have a problem in our hands, and this problem did not start from somewhere. It started from within ourselves before external forces started leveraging on it to destroy us,” the governor added.
The governor continued by saying that for the state to have lasting peace, the citizens have to put aside their differences and become deliberate in fighting insecurity, stressing that he was only the leader, and all the people are the government.
He re-emphasised the willingness of his administration to entrench peace in the state, adding that God has given them peace and they must also give peace.

 “For us to get peace, we have to be deliberate, we have to be direct. God has given us peace and we must also give peace.”
Governor Alia thanked all those who have been working to bring peace in their areas, acknowledging the huge efforts put in place by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-ala, Most Rev’d Isaac Dugu, for the return of peace in Sankera.
He called for the continuation of the Peace Mass to include other tribes in the state who are also affected by insecurity.
In his address, the Tor Tiv, HRM Orchivirigh, Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, equally emphasised the imperative of unity in the fight against insecurity, adding that, although the church in Tiv land has been praying, the people need to back it up with actions characterized by a sense of unity and commitment.

“We must be united for God to pass through that unity and defend us.”