Key Takeaways

• The Benue State Government says it is prepared for the introduction of state police but insists that existing security personnel and structures must not be abandoned without a clear transition plan.
• The state has developed a community-oriented security framework, with a handbook and training manual translated into Tiv, Idoma and Igede.
• Governor Hyacinth Alia supports the People-Centred Public Safety model as part of the proposed policing arrangement.
• Stakeholders identified funding, equipment, training, command structures, accountability and community participation as important requirements for effective implementation.

Benue Highlights Security Transition Concerns

The Benue State Government has expressed readiness for the proposed introduction of state police, while stressing that the transition must protect existing security efforts and avoid creating new operational gaps.

Chief Joseph Har, Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Internal Security, said the state had developed community-based security initiatives that could support the proposed arrangement. However, he cautioned against dismantling existing personnel and structures without determining how they would be integrated into the new system.

Har made the remarks at a stakeholders’ colloquium on state police organised by Lawyers Alert in collaboration with the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security in Makurdi.

His position highlights a central implementation question: how can a new state-level policing system be introduced while maintaining continuity in security operations?

Why Existing Security Structures Matter

Har warned that abandoning current security arrangements without adequate planning could create additional challenges for the state.

He called for a carefully managed transition that would ensure the proposed system strengthens ongoing security efforts rather than undermining them.

The concern goes beyond establishing a new policing structure. Decisions about personnel, responsibilities and operational arrangements would also need to be addressed to avoid uncertainty during implementation.

Har said Benue had already developed a community-oriented security framework handbook and training manual. The materials were translated into Tiv, Idoma and Igede to encourage greater participation by residents in addressing security concerns within their communities.

These initiatives form part of the state’s preparations for a policing model that places local communities closer to security planning and cooperation.

Alia Supports a People-Centred Policing Model

Governor Hyacinth Alia has backed the adoption of the People-Centred Public Safety model in the proposed state police system.

Represented at the colloquium by his Chief of Staff, Barrister Emmanuel Atagher, the governor said policing should strengthen the relationship between government, security agencies and the communities they serve.

He indicated that his administration was open to approaches that promote cooperation between residents and security institutions, describing the people-centred model as a potential component of Benue’s policing framework if state police becomes operational.

Alia also commended Lawyers Alert for developing and promoting the model, expressing confidence in its community-based approach.

The governor said the colloquium offered stakeholders an opportunity to examine the structures, resources and operational arrangements required for an effective state police system.

Funding, Training and Accountability Among Key Requirements

Beyond support for the proposal, the governor identified several practical issues that would require attention before an effective system could operate.

These include:

• Equipment: Providing the tools needed for policing operations.
• Training: Preparing personnel for their responsibilities.
• Funding: Establishing the financial support required to sustain operations.
• Command structure: Clarifying leadership and operational responsibilities.
• Accountability: Ensuring security personnel operate under appropriate oversight.
• Community relations: Building cooperation between policing institutions and residents.

Alia also stressed the importance of considering the roles of traditional rulers and religious leaders in the proposed arrangement.

These issues formed part of the broader discussion about the institutional and operational foundations needed for state police. The supplied report does not establish how the individual requirements would be funded or implemented.

Benue Promotes Community-Based Public Safety

The Director-General of the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (retd.), also highlighted the state’s efforts to strengthen community-based public safety.

Gbamwuan was represented at the event by Lt.-Gen. Fidelis Chile, who discussed the government’s promotion of the People-Centred Public Safety framework.

According to the report, the state has established a Community Policing Committee intended to improve cooperation between residents and security agencies.

The committee and the translated training materials reflect the administration’s stated emphasis on involving communities in local security efforts.

However, the report does not provide detailed information about the committee’s membership, operational responsibilities or measurable results to date.

Police Representative Signals Support for the Proposal

ECP Ogo Asikwa, who represented the Benue State Commissioner of Police at the colloquium, said the Nigeria Police Force was committed to supporting the smooth establishment of state police in the state.

His remarks added a police-institution perspective to discussions involving the state government, security officials and other stakeholders.

The comments indicate support for cooperation around the proposed arrangement, although the report does not outline specific implementation commitments or a timetable.

What Happens Next?

Benue’s position combines readiness for state police with a call for careful planning around the personnel and structures already involved in security operations.

The state’s community-oriented framework and public-safety initiatives provide part of the context for its preparations. At the same time, questions about funding, training, command, accountability and the future of existing security arrangements remain important to the implementation discussion.

The supplied report does not specify when state police would become operational in Benue or provide a final plan for integrating existing structures.

For the proposal to proceed without disrupting current security efforts, these practical questions will need clear answers as the wider state-policing framework develops.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Benue State ready for state police?

The Benue State Government says it is prepared for the proposed introduction of state police, while stressing the need for a clear plan for existing security personnel and structures.

2. What concern did Joseph Har raise?

Har warned that abandoning existing security personnel and structures without proper arrangements for integration could create fresh security challenges.

3. What is the People-Centred Public Safety model?

In the context of the report, it is a community-oriented approach intended to strengthen cooperation between residents, government and security institutions.

4. What preparations has Benue made?

The state has developed a community-oriented security framework handbook and training manual translated into Tiv, Idoma and Igede. The report also refers to the establishment of a Community Policing Committee.

5. What issues must be addressed before state police can operate effectively?

Stakeholders highlighted equipment, training, funding, command structures, accountability, community relations and the roles of traditional and religious leaders.

6. Has a start date for state police in Benue been announced?

The supplied report does not provide a confirmed start date or a final implementation timetable.

Conclusion

Benue’s stated readiness for state police is accompanied by a clear concern about preserving existing security capacity during any transition. The state’s community-based initiatives and support for People-Centred Public Safety form part of its approach, while funding, training, command arrangements and accountability remain central implementation considerations.

The key issue is not readiness alone, but whether the proposed system can be organised in a way that strengthens cooperation and maintains continuity in security operations.

**What do you think Benue should prioritise when preparing for state police: integrating existing security personnel, training, funding or community participation? Share your views in the comments.