Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has issued a warning that he cannot guarantee the safety of any individual or group entering the state without notifying his office beforehand.
The governor urged anyone considering a visit to Benue to carefully reconsider, emphasizing the importance of prior communication for their own safety and security.
In particular, he advised that anyone planning to visit Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state must first obtain official clearance from the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA).
This caution was conveyed in a statement released Monday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, titled “Notice Regarding Unscheduled Visits to Benue State.”
An excerpt from the statement reads:
“The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, wishes to inform the general public that he is not expecting any special visitors to the state today.
He is currently involved in critical meetings with top state officials to address pressing issues affecting Benue.
As such, he strongly discourages any group or high-profile individual from making unannounced visits—particularly those that could result in politically motivated gatherings—without prior approval.
Anyone intending to visit Benue without informing the Governor’s office should reconsider, as the state cannot guarantee their safety.
Furthermore, all visits to IDP camps must be cleared in writing through BSEMA before any engagement can take place.
Security agencies and the general public are urged to take note of this directive and help maintain peace and order across the state.”