Benue State Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has said some indigenes of the state are working with foreigners, especially from Niger Republic, to destabilise the state.

He said his administration would block the nefarious activities of such agents of destabilisation.

Alia said: “I am quite saddened to speak about what some fellow Benue citizens are doing; what they are planting and executing, which is not in favour of the state.

“The security report has revealed that some Benue indigenes have gone out of their ways to invite herdsmen all the way from Niger Republic to troop into Benue State, all in the name of bringing down this administration. This is unacceptable. But the security agents are doing their work.

“Security apparatuses are doing their work and those who would be found guilty of this, will not go unpunished. This is not the Benue we pray for. Electioneering period is over and now is governance.”

The governor, who spoke yesterday at the Chapel of Grace at the Government House in Makurdi, the state capital, urged the residents to remain calm.

He said security agencies were ready to ensure the safety of the people and their property.

A statement by his Principal Special Assistant on Print Media, Donald Kumun, said the governor urged herdsmen in the state to return to where they came from.

Alia said those who were not willing to join hands with his administration to develop Benue should also leave.

He said: “Please, if you cannot join hands with this administration to improve the state, to bring development to the state, where everyone has a sense of belonging, please, leave the state.

“I assure the entire citizens that they should remain calm for my administration is not ready to welcome any crisis in the state. A crisis is not the portion of Benue State.”

On what his administration would do to further secure the state, Alia said: “Security agencies are ready to do everything possible for the people to have peace. The influx of herders will not harm anyone, but they will return gradually to where they have come from.

“The mischief makers who wrote a letter inviting herders to come to Benue State will be disappointed. I stand on the platform of a new Benue where development of both human and infrastructure development is possible.”

The governor expressed gratitude to the Spiritual Director and Chaplaincy of Chapel of Grace at the Government House in Makurdi, Rev. Clement Ugo, and all those supporting his administration through prayers.

He urged them to continue to stand by his and the administration of President Bola Amhed Tinubu. (The Nation)