~Cites Rising Insurgency in Benue as First Lady Visits Victims of Herdsmen Attacks
The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has once again made a passionate appeal for the creation of State Police in Nigeria, declaring that the current centralized security system has proven ineffective in curbing the rising tide of insurgency and deadly attacks in Benue and other parts of the country.
Governor Alia made the call while receiving Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Benue State Government House, Makurdi, during her condolence visit to victims of recent attacks by suspected armed herders.
“The current security architecture has not proven sufficient in curbing the incessant attacks on our communities,” the Governor stated. “It is time for Nigeria to embrace State Police as a practical and necessary step towards securing lives, property, and peace across the nation.”
He also urged the First Lady to champion the domestication of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law across the North Central region, arguing that a regional approach to ranching would help prevent perpetrators from exploiting state boundaries as escape routes.
According to the Governor, Benue currently harbors over 1.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), with new camps recently springing up in Makurdi and Naka following fresh waves of violence. He noted that uniform enforcement of anti-open grazing laws would help dismantle safe havens for criminals moving from one state to another.
He further commended Senator Tinubu for her compassionate leadership and multiple interventions through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which he said have positively impacted women, youths, small traders, and vulnerable groups in Benue State.
“The people of Benue State are sincerely grateful. Your visit is not just symbolic; it is impactful and healing,” he said.
In her response, Senator Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the recent massacre in Yelewata, where many lives were lost. She condoled with Governor Alia, the Tor Tiv, and the people of the state, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to restoring peace and security in affected communities.
As part of her humanitarian support, the First Lady announced a ₦1 billion donation to assist with the rebuilding and resettlement of families displaced by attacks in the state.
The visit, described as timely and encouraging by local leaders, comes amid renewed calls from stakeholders for bold and structural reforms in Nigeria’s security and livestock management systems.
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