Insecurity: Guma Council Equips Traditional Leaders With 51 Motorcycles

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Chairman of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Maurice Orwough, has donated 51 motorcycles to traditional rulers and kindred heads in the area to enhance their mobility and strengthen grassroots security.

Orwough made the donation on Tuesday, saying the gesture was intended to enable traditional and community leaders to respond quickly to security threats, emergencies and other challenges in their communities.
He explained that traditional rulers and kindred heads remained closest to the people at the grassroots and played vital roles in communicating government policies and information to rural communities.
According to him, the beneficiaries had repeatedly complained about inadequate means of transportation, which often hindered their movement around their communities whenever emergencies occurred.
“Whenever we call on them, or whenever there is a crisis in the rural areas, they can move in quickly and help to contain the situation before the government can get there,” he said.
The chairman said the motorcycles were part of measures being implemented by his administration to strengthen collaboration with community leaders and improve security across the local government.
He also disclosed that the council was providing official vehicles to the 10 district heads, known locally as Tyoors. He said six had already received their vehicles, while the remaining four would receive theirs before the weekend or early the following week.
Orwough further stated that official vehicles would be provided for the council leader, secretary, supervisors and advisers, while motorcycles would be provided for councillors.
Beyond security and administrative support, he said the administration had also been assisting residents by paying hospital bills and providing scholarships to students.
He added that political stakeholders in the local government had also received vehicles and motorcycles as part of his support for political activities in the area.
On the security situation, Orwough described Guma as one of the local government areas worst affected by insecurity in Benue State.
He noted that Guma shared boundaries with Keana, Awe and Doma Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, saying the proximity had created security concerns for communities along the border areas.
According to him, some herders and criminal elements allegedly use routes through neighbouring Nasarawa communities to gain access into Benue and subsequently Guma.
He said his administration had consequently intensified security cooperation with chairmen and traditional rulers in the neighbouring councils.
“I have visited the chairman of Awe twice, the chairman of Keana three times and the chairman of Doma twice. I have also engaged their traditional rulers,” he said.
The chairman identified the Keana axis as a major security concern, saying the council would continue to engage relevant authorities and traditional institutions to address the challenge.
He further disclosed that his administration had received security threats around the axis, particularly along routes leading from New City through Giza to communities in Guma.
Orwough commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for giving him the opportunity and autonomy to serve the people of Guma, assuring that the council would continue to strengthen community-level security structures and collaboration with neighbouring local governments.
Speaking at the event, Cletus Upav and John Enger commended Governor Alia and the council chairman for supporting traditional rulers and reducing insecurity in the area.
Some beneficiaries, including Chief Joseph Asooga, Jukun Kindred Head of Abinse; Zaki Gideon Ukpahav, Nongo Kindred Head of Abinse; and Ortar Yanmanen Aza, Kindred Head of Mbakombo Sagher, all in Guma LGA, expressed appreciation to the chairman and Governor Alia.
They said the motorcycles would improve their mobility, facilitate prompt communication with their subjects and enhance their ability to respond to emergencies in their communities.