June 11, (THEWILL) – The Benue State Government has denied media reports suggesting that it okayed the launch of a Fulani security outfit, Al-Tershaku Global Security Limited, established by one Alhaji Aliyu Tershaku, in the state.
Deputy Governor of the State, Dr. Sam Ode, who denied the claims at a news conference in Makurdi, on Friday, explained that he did not authorize anybody to represent him or the Benue State Government at the launch of any security outfit.
“I did not authorize anyone to represent me or the State Government at any Fulani security summit or commissioning of a security outfit,” he said.
Dr. Ode, therefore, called on the people of Benue State to ignore the plot by mischievous elements to drag the administration of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia into a non-existent controversy.
He stressed that the security of lives and property of the citizens is a major focus of the Alia administration.
It will be recalled that the Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had accused the APC-led Fr Hycinth Alia administration of embracing a suspected terrorist, who was profiled by Nigerian security agents.
The State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Bemgba Iortyom, said, “The security outfit, which is known to have among its top commanding man of Fulani ethnic stock and whose founder, Aliyu Tershaku, is profiled by security agencies as a suspected Boko Haram terrorist, has already swung into operation with its operatives sited over the last couple of days in parts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital city.”
