Details of VP Osinbajo’s meeting with governors, security chiefs emerge

The National Economic Council (NEC) says the security situation in Benue Sate has improved.

Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu, briefed State House correspondents after NEC meeting presided over by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday.

Abounu said that the National Security Adviser, Babagana Mongunu, briefed the council on behalf of the various security agencies on the critical security issues nationwide.

“This ranges from kidnapping, gun-running, cattle rustling, tension between pastoralists and farmers, pipeline vandalism and communal clashes that exist nationwide.

“There is a synergy between the security agencies in tackling the menace of security issues in the county.

“NEC noticed of course, that there is lot of improvement in handling the insecurity situation in the country.

“A particular example that was given is the issue of pastoralists and farmers crisis in some parts of the country especially, North-Central, the North-West and other parts.

“For instance, the deployment of Operation Whirlstroke in Benue, has brought about improvement and especially put a near end to the killings that was very rampant in the area,” he said.

The deputy governor said that the state had started enjoying relative peace.

He said that the council decided that the military personnel in ‘Operation Whirlstroke’ should not be withdrawn in a hurry because their presence will bring about the needed stability.

According to him, such stability is needed to enable the internally displaced persons to return to their various localities.

Abounu said that troops had been deployed to the various flashpoints and a lot of improvements had been recorded.

He added that there were plans regarding the handling of other security problems especially pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta.