Benue: Community policing better – Gov Alia warns against self-defence

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has called for community policing as a solution to the insecurity crisis currently rocking the state.

Alia made the call while cautioning against affected communities resorting self defence.

Lately, Benue State had come under heavy attacks by armed herders, killing over 300 people.

Alia has accused armed herders of the killings in Yelewata area of the state.

However, the governor warned that self-defence would make the communities vulnerable to more attacks.

The governor disclosed this on AIT’s Kakaaki programme on Tuesday.

He said: “But where you have people who just decide to wake up because of sentiments and emotions that are attached to what is happening with us and within us, I think the rendering ourselves a bit more vulnerable — so I wouldn’t advocate for a self-defence.

“I would encourage us all to keep calling for community policing because it’s the only way

“It’s only people from within the state and local government who would understand what is going on with them.”;