MAKURDI — The Benue State Government has officially commenced the training of a newly established security unit, the Marine Marshals, in a strategic move to curb rising insecurity within the state's riverine communities.

Strengthening Security in Riverine Areas

The initiative, announced by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Marine and Blue Economy, Hon. Paul Bebe, aims to tackle the growing menace of armed herders, kidnappers, and other criminal elements who have been utilizing the state’s extensive river network as transit routes to carry out attacks and facilitate their escapes.

According to Hon. Bebe, the Marine Marshals are a core component of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s broader security architecture designed to safeguard lives and property across Benue State. The primary responsibilities of this new outfit include:

Patrolling Major Waterways: Sustained presence on River Benue and other critical water bodies to deter criminal activity.

Intelligence Gathering: Monitoring and reporting suspicious movements within riverine communities.

Rapid Response: Supporting established security agencies in responding swiftly to threats.

Strategic Deployment and Equipment

To ensure the effectiveness of this unit, the state government has provided operational support, including the purchase and donation of patrol boats. The Marshals will also be equipped with modern communication gadgets and other essential tools for surveillance and enforcement.

The recruitment process for the Marshals has focused on drawing able-bodied youths from across the state, with specific priority given to individuals from the local government areas most heavily impacted by water-based criminal activities. These recruits are undergoing specialized training tailored to the unique challenges of patrolling riverine terrain.

A Timely Intervention

For many riverine communities in Benue, the absence of dedicated water-based policing has long been a significant security gap. Criminal groups have frequently exploited this void to launch attacks on farmers and engage in kidnappings, actions which have severely hampered economic and agricultural activities along the riverbanks.

State officials and local residents alike have lauded the initiative as a proactive step toward restoring peace.Preparations for the official launch of the Marine Marshals are currently in the advanced stages, and there is high optimism that this unit will become a formidable deterrent against criminality, thereby fostering a more stable environment for both security and economic growth in the state.