By Bridget Tikyaa
The recent attacks by armed bandits on Akpachi and Otukpo-Nobi communities in Otukpo local government area of Benue State, in which lives were lost, has drawn wide condemnation and energised the Benue State Government to ramp up efforts in security measures to protect citizens and ensure lasting peace across the state.
Even the Nigerian Senate has urged security agencies to deploy more troops and re-evaluate their operational strategies to curb the violence.
No doubt, the attacks have caused displacement and panic. These barbaric and unacceptable attacks are part of a pattern of violence in Benue, with various groups, condemning the attacks and calling for investigations and decisive action from federal, state, local and authorities.
Governor Hyacinth Alia has unequivocally shown the determination of his administration to protect all citizens and every inch of land in Benue State.
As a leader committed to the wellbeing of his people, the governor was in Otukpo after the attack to assess the security situation and ensure more effective measures to protect law abiding citizens, empathy with the victims and offer immediate humanitarian assistance.
While the government is doing the best it could to make the state safer, it is imperative for the people to always be vigilant, identify suspicious moves and alert the relevant authorities to nip in the bud, potential attacks.
The state government has done so much in providing the needed logistics and motivation as well as complementing the strength of the security forces. These efforts must continue until all terrorists are cleanly decimated and flushed out of the state.
While in Otukpo, Governor Alia, showed leadership by visiting the Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, where victims of the attacks who sustained various degrees of injuries are undergoing treatment, and directed comprehensivetreatment for them to be paid for by at the state government.
At the palace of the Ochi’Idoma, His Royal Majesty Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, the governor made a bold declaration: “it is my obligation to protect all lives in the state and I am assuring we shall never rest on our oars until peace fully return to our communities”.
This declaration is not just about condemning the attacks, but a commitment to leadership and responsibility.
His appeal is for all residents to support ongoing security operations by providing timely and credible information to security agencies. Prompt intelligence gathering remains critical to tackling criminality. It saves lives, prevents destruction, and the attendant humanitarian cost.
To the youth, Governor Alia encouraged them to work hand in hand with security operatives in identifying and exposing those responsible for the attacks.
To deepen the search for peace, the governor announced that a roundtable meeting would soon be convened with stakeholders from the affected communities to address their concerns and develop lasting solutions to the security challenges.
The Och’Idoma, Dr. John Elaigwu testified to the efforts of the Governor and the swift response of security agencies to the crisis, describing it as a source of encouragementto the people.
As the government and security agencies put in more proactive measures to prevent similar incidents, one very disturbing trend exacerbating insecurity in the state is the
circulation of misleading narratives on social media regarding attacks, which breeds negativity and hampers efforts at
safeguarding lives and property in a collective manner, and without discrimination. Security is a responsibility that requires the cooperation of government, security agencies, and the public.
As efforts continue to address insecurity in Benue State, it is on record that the Benue State Government, led by Governor Hyacinth Alia, has not shied away from taking proactive measures to deal with the problem and restore lasting peace in the state.
The government has deployed additional security personnel to troubled areas and is working closely with federal security agencies to combat banditry and farmer-herder clashes.
The Federal Government, on its part, has also demonstrated its resolve to address the lingering security challenges.
Some notable initiatives include community policing, which is promoting collective responsibility for security, the creation of two new Area Commands and the upgrade of five police stations to Divisional Headquarters, and the approval of the Federal Executive Council for the construction of an airstrip in Gboko to support security operations and humanitarian activities.
All these measures and more, will however, only work when every citizen contributes positively in whatever way possible preventing attacks, supporting community policing, protecting law abiding citizens and exposing criminals in every community without bias.
Bridget Tikyaa Is the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Communications Strategy
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