The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Wednesday, March 06, 2024 paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye in his office in Abuja.

Speaking during the visit, Governor Alia said he was at the Defence Intelligence Agency Headquarters, Abuja to congratulate Major Gen. EAP Undiandeye on his appointment as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The Governor appreciated the efforts of the Defence Intelligence Agency in the area of intelligence sharing to support ongoing operations to maintain law and order in the Benue Valley.

He said Benue is an agrarian State, and farming remains the mainstay of the people, however, the most fertile parts of Benue State are still inaccessible to farmers due to mayhems unleashed on them daily by armed herders.

The Governor added that at least, 5 or more people are killed every week as a result of the violence perpetrated by the herders on Benue farmers.

He appealed to the Chief of Defence Intelligence to consider the establishment of an Intelligence Fusion Centre in Makurdi, which would not only enhance situational awareness but also facilitate seamless coordination among various intelligence agencies and stakeholders in addressing emerging threats to the nation.

Governor Alia also requested for the establishment of Intelligence Training School Annex in Benue State, expressing confident that the initiatives will not only strengthen national security but also underscore their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the sovereignty and integrity of the nation.

Responding, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major Gen. EAP Undiandeye

said the skirmishes between herders and farmers in Benue State directly affects the whole of Nigeria as lack of access to farmlands would likely bring hunger to the nation.

He promised to do everything within their powers in trying to find ways to forestall

normalcy and ensure that people return to their farmlands.

On the establishment of an Intelligence Fusion Centre in Makurdi, the CDI said he would take it up with the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence Staff.

Talking on the establishment of Intelligence Training School Annex, the CDI said Benue is one of the Lucky states in Nigeria which has the Nigerian Air Force Intelligence School located in Makurdi and if their is need to train more people, they can seek capacity from the Nigerian Air Force.

He thanked the Governor for finding time to visit him and promised that the Defence Intelligence will continue to support his government with intelligence sharing to enable him surmount the security challenges in the state.

On the entourage of the Governor were the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Joseph Alakali, the Principal Private Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Chenge, the Special Advisor to the Governor on Internal Security, Chief Joseph Haa, DG, Bureau for International Cooperation and Development, Aondoaseer Leo-Angelo Viashima, Amb. Demenongun Agev, and the SUBEB Chairman, Dr. Grace Adagba.

Others were Prince Solomon Wombo, the House of Representatives Member for Katsina-ala, Ukum & Logo, and Ogewu David Ogewu, the House of Representatives Member for Oju/Obi.

Some prominent serving and retired military chiefs in Benue State, including Maj. Gen. Edeh Gabriel Odeh, AVM Emmanuel Oche Arebi, Maj. Gen. John Malu, Maj. Gen. India Garba, Amb. Godwin Adakole Adams, and Col. Emmanuel Ayila Agaku, amongst others were also on the entourage.

Credit: Isaac Uzaan