Benue State Governor, Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has, for the umpteenth time, invited “unknown gunmen” operating in parts of the state to lay down their arms and embrace the peace programme initiated by his administration.
Benue State Government has initiated the programme to rehabilitate local militia operating in the state and has applied to the federal government for approval and takeoff.
Earlier on Monday, March 2, while on his way to Taraba State for peace talks, he stopped over at Sankera, Ukum Local Government headquarters, where he addressed thousands who turned out to receive him.
He said he desired that militants who are in the trenches jettison their old ways and get integrated into the society, saying, “We are one people. We have had enough of this problem. It’s time to call it a quit,” the governor who spoke in Tiv said.
He went on to say that he would stop at nothing to bring those in the trenches home and reintegrate them into society.
The governor assured that none of the repentant militants would be hurt, and they should not be afraid to honour his call.
He was accompanied by his deputy, Dr Sam Ode; former Governor Gabriel Suswam; Rep Solomon Wombo; His Eminence Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, Tor Tiv; HRH David Sev-av, Tor Sankera; HRH Ambrose Iyortyer, Tor Kwande; and other top government functionaries.
