Benue govt bans Christmas, New Year picnic activities

The Benue State Government has banned picnic-related activities during the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the State.

Briefing newsmen after a State Security Council meeting in Makurdi, the State Capital, Governor Samuel Ortom said the decision became necessary to prevent further spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that the spike in COVID-19 cases in the country was worrisome.

The Governor said that Benue has started recording more cases of the pandemic in its second wave and urged residents to obey all NCDC COVID-19 protocols.

He said his administration would continue to take necessary steps that would ensure the safety of residents.

Talking on the security challenges in the State, the Governor said that the Council had received briefings from all the security heads and would act on them accordingly.

He said that the Government was taking adequate measures to continue to address security challenges in the State.

The Governor also appealed to residents of the State to provide information on suspicious movements or persons to relevant security agencies for immediate action.