The Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has launched a new security group, the Quick Response Squad (QRS), to respond rapidly to security emergencies across the state’s communities.

Naijaonpoint reports that the initiative was officially unveiled during a ceremony attended by top government officials and community leaders.

Governor Alia was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Sam Ode, who underscored the administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

“This initiative is part of our holistic plan to address insecurity head-on, especially in rural areas that have been frequent targets of attacks,” Ode said.

The QRS is a multi-agency operation made up of personnel from the Civilian Protection Guard (CPG), the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), local hunters, and members of the existing Joint Task Force (JTF) in the state.

According to officials, the team has been specially trained to respond swiftly and tactically to emerging security threats, including banditry, herdsmen attacks, and communal clashes.

“Our goal is to ensure no part of Benue is left defenceless. This is a proactive approach to take security to the grassroots,” Ode said during the unveiling.

Naijaonpoint reports that the launch of the QRS comes amid rising concerns over recurrent attacks in rural communities, particularly in Logo, Guma, and Katsina-Ala local government areas.

Residents and traditional rulers in the region have long decried the absence of immediate response mechanisms whenever their communities are under threat.

Governor Alia’s administration says the QRS is expected to fill this critical gap, providing a faster and more locally coordinated approach to safeguarding lives.