The Benue government has approved the establishment of the Bureau of Homeland Security to coordinate and liaise with the office of the governor and security agencies.

Governor Hyacient Alia of Benue disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists after the State Security Council meeting in Makurdi.

Mr Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, said the bureau’s establishment was a swift response to security matters in the state.

He said the Security Council had agreed that the bureau would be headed by a director-general, to be appointed by the governor.

On the recent attacks in Ukum Local Government Area, Mr Alia said the Security Council had directed that the curfew in the entire Sankera area should continue.

He said it was agreed that further ban be placed on protests in Logo, Ukum and Katsina-Ala local government areas, also known as Sankera axis, until further notice.

The governor said the council resolved that the government should set up a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the destruction of public and private properties in Ukum during protests in the area.

He said the Benue State Law against “Matching Ground” was still in force and would soon be gazetted and made available to the public.

On the request for the allocation of plots of land to federal agencies to erect structures, Mr Alia said extensive consultations would be carried out on the matter to ensure fair treatment for all concerned.

(NAN)