By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Benue State Command Headquarters Makurdi, has disclosed that it has successfully monitored and facilitated the return of youths numbering 19 whose mission was not clear that found their way into the state.
State Commandant of the NSCDC, CC Bitrus Larai who made the disclosure, Tuesday, while exchanging views with journalists at the Command headquarters in Makurdi, to clarify apprehension in the minds of the public following renewed attacks and killings in the state, said the Command acted on credible intelligence that youth numbering 19 all of Northern extraction suspected to be Hausa/Fulani were heading towards Adoka, a development she noted generated fear and tension among the Locals.
According to the commandant, the command swiftly dispatched personnel for discreet monitoring and evaluation of the group to ascertain their point of departure, possible destination with their aims and objectives of embarking on the journey.
She said further investigation revealed that the youths who were not armed but carrying food items were from Lafia in Nasarawa State, adding that as strangers they might have lost way to their actual destination which was Jato- aka in Kwande Local Government Area, hence the reason they found themselves at Adoka park a different destination from their original point of travel.
The commandant further explained that since Kwande Local Government Area has been under attack of recent with their mission not clearly established, the command decided to keep them in custody to avoid the Uromi scenario in Edo state even though the youth had alleged they were going to Jato-aka for mining activities.
She said the youths were brought back to the Command for protection, stressing that after they were profiled, it was discovered they were actually not criminal.
However, not satisfied with their explanation, the command reached out to the company they claimed were going to work for, Ultima Nig. Ltd which also confirmed that the youths were going to Jato-aka on the orders of one of their agents to work on mining sites.
CC Bitrus equally disclosed to journalists that the Command has gone ahead to interface with the proposed mining company the youths were heading to join in Jato-aka as well as invitation extended to the mining company for further consultation and profiling.
The commandant who said the Command has directed that the youths be taken into protective custody to enable his team of intelligence ascertain their state of departure and purpose for coming to Benue said after diligent work, the Command has facilitated and ensured their safe return to their state and urged members of the public not to panic but rather go about their normal businesses as the situation is brought under control.
