Governor Alia distances self from launch of Fulani security outfit

By The Editor

The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has dissociated his Government from a certain security outfit of Fulanis in Benue state called Al-Tershak Global Security Ltd which was launched in Makurdi, the state capital, on Saturday.

The security organization was established by Alhaji Aliyu Tershaku who, had in the past, had been arrested over alleged links with Boko Haram. 

Reports in social media platforms in the state had said the Benue Government had okayed the launch of the Security outfit in the State, with the Governor being represented at the occasion by Gabriel Igoche, the Protocol Officer to the Deputy Governor.

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) issued a statement condemning the new administration of Rev  Fr. Alia for planning to use the security outfit to facilitate the return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state to their homes.

 But a statement issued by Sir Tersoo Kula Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the the Governor of Benue state said his principal was not aware of any Fulani Security outfit and would not have "okayed" one.

Kula said the desperation exhibited by the "reporter" of this news came to fore when he/she introduced strange protocol into the story. The CPS asked: "Where is it known that a sitting Governor delegates his Deputy to represent him at a function and the Deputy in turn, sends his "protocol officer" to represent him?"

He said that the Deputy Governor of Benue state, Hon. Sam Ode, was knowledgeable and very familiar with protocol having served variously in Executive positions including Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Adviser to the Governor,  Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and now Deputy Governor. "Therefore, his Excellency wouldn't have messed up protocol in the manner the authors of this malicious news story would want the unsuspecting members of the public to believe."

The Governor's spokesman explained that a verbal invitation to attend the commissioning of an office was extended to the Protocol Officer of the Deputy Governor, Gabriel Igoche, in his personal capacity. Igoche was known to Alh. Tershaku while working for Engr. Benson Abounu in same capacity of Protocol Officer. "His purported attendance at the meeting has nothing to associate Governor Alia's led administration.

"Yes, Governor Hyacinth Alia is desirous to see IDPs return to their homes and farmlands, but he is not desperate to use all means to achieve this. He is working on legitimate strategies to implement this project he promised the people of the state. Very soon, the results will manifest," Kula assured.