Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has established a new security initiative aimed at addressing the escalating security challenges plaguing communities across the state.
The Quick Response Squad (QRS), officially launched at a ceremony featuring senior government officials and community leaders, represents a strategic effort to provide rapid security intervention in areas most vulnerable to attacks.
Deputy Governor Dr. Sam Ode, speaking on behalf of Governor Alia at the launch event, emphasized the administration’s determination to safeguard residents and their property throughout the state.
“This initiative forms part of our comprehensive strategy to confront insecurity directly, particularly in rural communities that have become frequent targets of violent attacks,” Dr. Ode stated.
The newly formed QRS operates as a multi-agency security force, bringing together personnel from various organizations including the Civilian Protection Guard (CPG), the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), local hunters, and members of the state’s existing Joint Task Force (JTF).
State officials confirmed that QRS personnel have undergone specialized training to enable swift and tactical responses to various security threats, including banditry, herder-farmer conflicts, and communal violence.
“We are committed to ensuring that no area of Benue State remains vulnerable to attack. This represents a proactive strategy to bring security services directly to grassroots communities,” Dr. Ode explained during the launch ceremony.
The establishment of the QRS comes in response to mounting concerns over repeated attacks targeting rural communities, with Logo, Guma, and Katsina-Ala local government areas experiencing particularly frequent incidents.
Local residents and traditional authorities in these regions have consistently raised concerns about the lack of immediate response capabilities when their communities face security threats.
The Alia administration positions the QRS as a solution to this critical security gap, promising enhanced coordination and faster response times to protect vulnerable communities across Benue State.
