Benue Governor Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia backs state police and launches training for 300 Civil Protection Guards to boost state security

The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, has expressed full support for the establishment of state police, asserting that governors must exercise operational control over security structures to safeguard their states effectively.

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The declaration came during the flag-off of a six-day training exercise for 300 personnel of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPGs), organised by The Kukah Centre in collaboration with the state government at the Firing Range in Ikpayongo, Gwer-East Local Government Area.

Represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, Governor Alia described state policing as “an idea whose time has come,” noting that ongoing constitutional reforms would provide the framework for implementation.

He aligned the initiative with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to establish decentralised policing, emphasising it as a vital devolution of powers within Nigeria’s federal system.

Addressing concerns over potential political misuse of state police, Alia assured that robust legal safeguards would prevent abuse.

He added that the role of governors as chief security officers must extend beyond theoretical responsibilities.

Earlier, the state’s Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, revealed that Benue has already trained 5,000 personnel, positioning the state as a front-runner in community-based security initiatives.

Terseer Bamber, Project Manager at The Kukah Centre, said the ongoing training would strengthen operational capacity and ensure that personnel act strictly within constitutional limits.

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“At the end of the exercise, we expect a more resilient force capable of supporting conventional security agencies,” he added.