Traditional rulers from Benue State have acknowledged that President Muhammadu Buhari has been able to tackle the insecurity, especially the herders/farmers clashes.
They advised that proper surveillance should be carried out on the nation’s borders to prevent infiltration of criminals from the neighbouring countries.
The Tor Tiv of Tiv land Professor James Ayatse, he led the monarchs on a courtesy visit to the President at the presidential Villa Abuja expressed appreciation to President Buhari, for the way and manner he has been conducting peaceful campaign,.
He said that there has been no riots, violence, thereby setting good example. “We had a challenging time in 2016. Thanks for your intervention, for accepting our appeal to step up security. Operation Whirl Strike has succeeded in chasing away violent herders.”
He emphasized the need for a closer look at the border to stop “criminals and bandits” from crossing into Nigeria.
Responding, President Buhari said that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, will soon commence drilling for a deeper search for oil and gas in the Benue Trough.
This, he said, is the next step following the commencement of drilling in the Kolmani River area, located within Bauchi and Gombe States.
President Buhari recalled that as Minister of Petroleum in the 70s, he had seen “very interesting seismic surveys” that promised oil and gas from the Chad Basin through the Benue Trough down to the Delta region.
He said that for mostly commercial reasons, investment was directed to the Niger Delta given the promise of quicker results.
He narrated past efforts by him as Military Head of State to diversify the country’s sources of oil to strengthen its unity, promising that his administration will intensify efforts in this direction.
The President promised to look at requests for more roads, bridges and tertiary institutions made by the royal father.
