Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North-West Senatorial District, has called for strengthened community policing and expanded security collaborations as effective solutions to the persistent security challenges plaguing Benue State.
Speaking at a security roundtable organized by the University of Mkar in Gboko on Friday, Senator Zam expressed strong opposition to the establishment of state police, warning that such a move could potentially worsen rather than resolve security issues.
Concerns Over State Police Implementation
The senator cautioned that given how state governors have historically managed state electoral bodies, creating state police forces could lead to dangerous outcomes. "Instead of combating crime, the state police could be dangerously used by governors to fight perceived political opponents," Zam stated.
He emphasized that establishing state police under current conditions would amount to "weaponising confusion" rather than enhancing security infrastructure.
Collective Responsibility for Security
Senator Zam highlighted that security remains a collective responsibility, urging youths to resist being manipulated by criminal elements. "Our youths should rather cooperate with various community leaders and security agencies to curb the menace," he advised.
The senator expressed concern over weak governmental systems that have failed to prevent continued attacks on vulnerable citizens, particularly in resource-rich areas with fertile lands along the state's coastal regions.
According to Zam, these attacks appear to be strategically planned incursions aimed at taking over valuable lands for economic purposes rather than random violence.
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