We’re engaging bandits strategically — Benue govt

The Benue State Government has urged bandits terrorisng the Sankera axis of the state to shun bad behaviour and embrace dialogue.

 Joseph Har, Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, ,who disclosed this to journalists during a chat in his office in Makurdi, stated that the move was part of the strategy adopted by the government to engage the bandits. 

Our correspondent reports that the Sankera axis which makes up three LGAS of Ukum, Katsina-Ala and Logo, had come into spotlight in recent time following the killing of people almost on a daily basis allegedly by local bandits.

 He said, “My principal, Governor Hyacinth Alia, as a priest, is sincere and passionate about human life. For the first time in the history of the country, a state has two security advisers; one for security and strategic liaision and the other for security and internal affairs. 

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“What we are doing now is to build back the confidence in these guys (bandits). We are asking them to come out. That is for short-term. 

“We are talking with them; we are engaging them. We have told them that, ‘What you are doing is destroying your community; it’s destroying our economy, it’s making the society look ugly and it’s giving the state a bad image’.

 “So, we are going to build back the confidence in them using the traditional institution. In a very short while, you will see results.”