Pix: Dr Ahmed Abubakar Ahmed, NSCDC CG
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has taken 19 youths into protective custody in Benue State to avert a potential crisis similar to the Uromi incident in Edo State.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the state NSCDC’S Public Relations Officer, Michael Ejelikwu, on behalf of the State Commandant, the youths-all suspected to be of Hausa/Fulani origin-were intercepted at Adoka Motor Park in Makurdi following credible intelligence about their movement.
The state commandant of the NSCDC, Bitrus Larai, explained in the statement that the group, originally from Lafia in Nasarawa State, was not headed for Adoka in Otukpo LGA as initially feared, but rather to Jato-Aka in Kwande LGA-an area that has recently experienced a series of attacks.
She noted that their purpose was allegedly to engage in mining, but their exact mission remained unclear, adding that given heightened local tensions and suspicions surrounding the presence of herders in the areas, intelligence suggested that communities in both LGAs were preparing to confront the group.
‘To avoid a repeat of the violence seen in Uromi, the command took immediate steps to place the youths in protective custody while verifying their identity, departure location, and destination,’ Larai said.
The NSCDC has since contacted the mining company the youths were reportedly traveling to work for and has invited them for further consultation and profiling.
The commandant however pledged that upon completion of investigations, it would ensure the youths are safely returned to their state.