Control1stAdmin1
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har PSP, has replied the former Commissioner of Education in the state, Prof. Dennis Ityavyar, over statements credited to him in which he claimed that the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia is a monumental disaster with no capacity to govern the state.
He was quoted as saying that the Alia’s administration has failed in improving on the security situation in the state leading to wanton destruction of property and loss of lives in the past two years.
Har, who took a swipe at the Commissioner in a statement he issued to newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday said “Ordinarily, I wouldn’t respond to the false interview he granted because of our relationship.
“However, for the fact that he didn’t care to get clarity on the subject matter knowing fully well that the officer overseeing security functions on behalf of the governor of Benue state hails from the same kindred with him and are in good talking terms.
“Also considering that I am the only government appointee from Mbaakon where both the Prof and I hail from, this falsehood and attack on the governor may be misinterpreted as the voice of Mbaakon people hence I am compelled to educate the Prof what Security functions are and the grand strides HE has made since assumption of office.
“Security functions are often times mistaken for mere opening/closing the gate for industrial and corporate security and boots on the ground for political governance. Maybe the Prof misunderstood the role of the Governor to include carrying the rifle to confront the enemy himself otherwise he would have noticed the very efforts made to douse the rot that was created hitherto in Benue state that witnessed bloodbath in the state in 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) namely; Ukum, Logo, Katsina Ala, Guma, Makurdi, Gwer West, Gwer East, Agatu, Apa, Kwande and Otukpo.
He noted that the efforts of Governor Alia’s administration first reduced the security menace to nine LGAs and later to four adding that since assuming office in May 2023, Governor Alia has taken bold and proactive steps to address the complex security challenges facing Benue State, particularly the persistent threats of banditry, armed herders, communal clashes, and criminal gangs.
The Security Adviser listed some crime prevention strategies Governor Alia administration’s had introduced to combat the persistent threats of banditry, armed herders, communal clashes, and criminal gangs across the state saying the Governor had initiated Crime Prevention through Environmental Design which he said focused on designing the environment in such a manner that will deter the criminal with the fear of been detected.
He also said the Governor has “Strengthened collaboration with federal security agencies, including Operation Whirl Stroke, (OPWS) to repel attacks and restore peace in troubled areas, establishment of community policing initiatives and vigilante reforms to improve grassroots intelligence gathering and early response through the act of state parliament to merge the Volunteer and Livestock guards to form the Benue State Civil Protection Guards with robust standard operating procedures (SOPs) which many now refer to as the “Benue model”
“Timely support to displaced communities, including return strategies and food/security interventions for IDPs has been the priority of this administration witnessed in Agatu, Kwande, Guma Agatu, Makurdi among others should not have escaped the notice of the Prof.
“I challenge the Prof to state anywhere in Benue that there was an attack and the governor did not go either himself or through the representation of the deputy governor or any of us his security Advisers. I am suspecting that the Prof is even unaware of the sustainable development efforts that led to the establishment of the mega IDP camp on Gbajimba road and the supply of farming inputs to the people for modest farming?
“Deployment of modern surveillance tools beginning in the state capital and reinforcement of military (the Naval base, additional Army battalions, Mopol squadrons etc) and paramilitary presence in Benue state received wide media coverage that only those with ulterior motives will not notice it.
“These interventions have reduced the frequency and scale of attacks in previously volatile LGAs such as Guma, Gwer West, Katsina Ala, Logo, Ukum, Gwer West, Agatu, Makurdi, Apa, and Kwande. Governor Alia’s administration is not claiming perfection, but the trajectory is clear: we are securing Benue with focus, determination, and sincerity of purpose.
“Prof. Ityavyar’s blanket assertion of failure does a disservice to the efforts of security personnel, local stakeholders, and indeed the people of Benue who continue to work with the government in building a safer state. It is irresponsible to play politics with security an area that affects lives and livelihoods.
“While we welcome constructive criticism, we reject outright any attempt to misinform the public or score political points at the expense of truth and public morale.
May I also draw the attention of the Prof of the crime prevention strategies deployed by the Fr Alia’s administration.
“These include but not limited to Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a crime prevention strategy focused on designing the environment in such a manner that will deter the criminal with the fear of been detected (Doss: 2011).
“This strategy which makes the environment easy for surveillance partially existed during the Gabriel Suswam led administration but which went distinct after the end of his tenure until the emergence of Rev Fr Alia where the state is lighted with powerful solar lights and trimming of overgrown trees causing people to sometimes forget to put on their headlights while driving at night.
This had deterred and drastically reduced cases of GSM and vehicle snatching in the state, Crime Prevention through Social Development (CPTSD) is another crime prevention strategy that targets the root causes of crime by giving attention to social and economic factors that contribute to criminal behaviours.
“During the Fr Alia administration with the emergence of the Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC) bread, water, taxi, ZEVA/OYI bitters, nails factories; Benue Printing and Publishing Corporation (BPPC), the Fashion Hub with over a thousand sewing machines and a huge number of citizens undergoing training, the digital training with over a thousand participants/beneficiaries, the Teachers recruitment and others too numerous to mention have drastically reduced criminality without the notice of the Prof.
“Situational Crime Prevention (SCP) is another strategy that doesn’t target punishment but focuses more to create situation that will discourage crime. This is done by the installation of closed circuit television (CCTV), awareness campaigns that are all aim at discouraging crime.
“The Fr Alia administration inherited cultism and what was popularly known as ‘matching ground’ where people were compelled to pay illegal levies before developing their properties. A simple awareness campaign by this administration by yours sincerely and the creation of the office for the prohibition of illegal levies doused that tension and people can develop properties without been molested nor extorted.
“Traditional Rulers and Crime Prevention (TRCP) is a strategy introduced by the Rev Fr Alia administration wherein Traditional Rulers hitherto were reduced in status and with no single authority to police their communities.
“This administration has returned the regards and are working to positioning the Traditional Rulers with the status they deserved. This administration in partnership with Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING) has organized capacity building workshop for Traditional Rulers in Benue state on how to police their communities.
Crime Prevention through Infrastructural Development (CPTID) focuses on the provision of infrastructure especially those that can help reduce crime. Example of this strategy is the construction of roads which I have lost count of the number of roads constructed by the Fr Alia led administration. This act of road construction makes response easier for government security forces to complete the Physical Security Triangle process (Detect, Delay and Respond).
If the erudite Prof who is involved in development Economics missed the construction of roads and the importance thereof, he should have noticed and driven on that road under construction from Ihugh to Anhyura and that which diverts through Tortiv market directly in front of his residence which never existed until this regime.
“Crime Prevention through Police Involvement (CPTPI) is crime prevention strategy beyond the traditional law enforcement which focuses on community engagement, proactive policing, early warning and early response. This administration noticing the gap that exist in the huge number of unprotected spaces took the bull by the horns to strengthen the Benue state quasi security agents and at the same time harmonize the synergy of the conventional security agencies for more robust engagements.
“This effort which is now referred to as the Benue model has added the quest for the community policing. Several efforts were put to have the rehabilitation and reorientation of the quasi security operative to operate based on the VPSHR (voluntary principles for security and human rights).
“Time will not allow me to engage further but note that the Fr Alia administration remains committed to protecting all Benue citizens and will not be distracted by unfounded claims from individuals who seem more interested in political noise than collective progress,” he added.
