The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Benue

  • Blood, tears as suspected herdsmen overrun Benue market

    Blood, tears as suspected herdsmen overrun Benue market

    Tuesday’s bloody attack on a market in Abande community, Mbaikyor Ward, Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, which resulted in the killing of no fewer than 17 people, burning of houses and destruction of property worth more than N500 million, did not come as a surprise to many members of the community.

    Lawrence Akerigba, a member of the community told The Nation that security reports to that effect were passed to all the security agencies in Kwande Local Government Area.

    Akerigba said: “We got information that suspected heavily armed herdsmen were camped in Kashimbila, Taraba State, preparing to launch an attack on Abande on market day.”

    “We shared the information on our community Whatsapp group and immediately informed the police office in Abande.”

    He said in the whole of Abande, there were only three policemen while the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) killed by the suspected herdsmen was the officer in charge.

    “There are now only two policemen remaining, policing a community of over one million people,” he added.

    According to Akerigba, the suspected armed men stormed Abande on market day while buying and selling was going on at about 3 pm.

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    “They stormed the Abande Market and shot at traders indiscriminately.

    “There was chaos. People were gunned down—children, women, everyone in sight. It was like a horror film.”

    He said in the melee that ensued, people ran in different directions, and some sustained injuries.

    “The invaders broke into stores in the market and brazenly carted away a lot of foodstuffs and forcibly collected cash from traders.”

    “They looted shops and collected cash from poor traders, because it was on market day.

    “They collected more than N100 million, because there is no bank in the area.”

    On the casualty figures, Akerigba said 17 persons were confirmed dead following the violent attack.

    By 11:55 pm local time, some of the victims’ bodies were conveyed to Jato Aka by personnel of the Mobile Police Force stationed in the area.

    He said: “Among the deceased were Iornunbe  Agba, Chia Kile, Terseer Shenge, Mker Ugbe, Emmanuel Agba, Ortswen Gbinde and  a Mobile Police officer (the unit commander), who was on duty at the time of the incident. So many others are missing.”

    The Nation investigation revealed that Abande is a settlement close to Anwase, also in Kwande Local Government area, where more than 28 people were brutally murdered on Christmas Day in 2024.

    The Nation also gathered that since the beginning of the year, people were being attacked by suspected bandits on a daily basis.

    The Nation findings revealed that the attacks might not be unconnected with solid mineral deposits in the area, which shares international border with Southern Cameron.

    Lawrence Akerigba lamented that neither the Benue State Government nor the Federal Government was doing enough to protect the community.

    “Bandits are being protected as they roam free with AK 47, destroying our sources of livelihood.

    “Our farms, economic trees and houses have been destroyed. Our children and wives are raped.

    “We are on international border with Cameroon, yet no state or federal government presence in our area.”

    The Cameroonian government has constructed a road to Jonwater, the last village bordering Nigeria, with security agents stationed there.

    Lawrence Akerigba calls on the Federal Government to do what Cameron has done for its people so that the lives of Kwande people would safe.

    The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, has dispatched a Deputy Commissioner of Police with additional tactical squad to reinforce and secure Kwande communities.

    The Nation learnt some of the wounded were in the hospital receiving treatments while others had moved into the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps.

    Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has also directed security agencies to moved into rural communities and protect lives and property.

  • Alia vows to safeguard Benue communities

    Alia vows to safeguard Benue communities

    •Katsina govt visits victims in Faskari council

    The Benue State government has ordered an increase in security measures in communities across the state following a series of bloody attacks.

    Speaking to The Nation in a telephone interview,  the Chief Press Secretary, Sir Kula Tersoo, said Governor Hyacinth Alia has directed the deployment of additional security personnel to affected  and all rural communities as part of measures to secure the life and prosperity of the people.

     Tersoo stated that the governor’s directives have led to the reinforcement of Mobile Police, soldiers, and troops from Operations Whirl Stroke and Special Forces Battalion.

    Tersoo emphasised that the governor had mobilised resources to ensure community safety, stating: “The life of every Benue citizen matters, and I will ensure that this administration puts an end to these brutal killings.”

    Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, has dispatched the Deputy Commissioner to lead a tactical team to the troubled Abande community, which was attacked by suspected herdsmen, resulting in 17 deaths and burnt houses, though the police have confirmed four fatalities, including an Assistant Superintendent of Police.

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    Also, the Katsina State government has visited victims of Faskari banditry attacks to assess the area where about 25 persons were said to have been killed by suspected bandits on Tuesday.

    The government’s delegation was led by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abdullahi Garba Faskari, accompanied by dozens of heavily armed military personnel.

    The SSG, who is also from the council area, met with community leaders to convey government sympathy over the attack, assess the extent of damage, with the view of providing possible government assistance.

    Prayers were offered during the visit for the repose of the souls of the deceased persons, while N500, 000 was given to each of the families of the victims.

    The state government assured affected communities that security would be boosted in the area to forestall future attacks.

    The bandits in their numbers Tuesday afternoon, attacked Doma community, Tafoki Ward in Faskari council area where they killed more than 25 people, injured scores of others, and set many vehicles and houses ablaze.

  • Fury of fire in Benue community, 300 houses, farms razed

    Fury of fire in Benue community, 300 houses, farms razed

    Fire has destroyed over 300 houses in Wannue, Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State.

    Most affected are thatch and small units of houses as well as farm produce estimated at millions of naira.

    A victim, Mr Moses Answa Agule, who spoke to The Nation on phone, said the fire occurred while he was in the market.

    “I got a call from my neighbours that my thatch houses, which served as yam ban, were on fire,” he said.

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    Moses said before he rushed back home “all his stored food- stuff and the thatch houses were on fire”.

    He appealed to spirited individuals and the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to assist them.

    It was learnt that items destroyed were mainly household items, and melon, cassava chips, yams, maize, among others.

    The inferno, which cause is yet to be known, has rendered 95 households homeless.

  • SGF Akume: Benue celebrates stability, peace

    SGF Akume: Benue celebrates stability, peace

    In Benue State, where leadership is measured as much by personal steadiness as by public service, news of the renewed stability in the life of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has been received with warmth and quiet celebration.

    For many in the state, the development represents not spectacle, but reassurance.

    Those close to the family and the community have long been aware that the SGF has lived separately from his former spouse for a long time now, a period marked by restraint, discretion, and an absence of public drama.

    True to his long-standing character, Senator Akume neither sought public sympathy nor indulged in explanations. He continued to serve, focused and composed, allowing private matters to remain private.

    It is against this backdrop that the people of Benue say they welcome the new chapter in his life—not as a political event, but as a human one.

    Community leaders, elders, women’s groups, and youth organisations across the state describe a mood of calm happiness: a sense that a man who has carried immense national responsibility has also found personal peace.

    “Our leaders are human beings,” said a senior traditional figure in the state. “When one of our own finds stability after a long period of quiet difficulty, we acknowledge it with goodwill.”

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    Residents emphasise that what resonates most is not the marriage itself, but the manner in which it unfolded: without provocation, without public conflict, and without disrespect to any party involved. In a political culture often marked by excess and noise, the restraint has drawn admiration.

    Equally noted is the reception extended to his wife, who has been welcomed warmly by the people of Benue. Community gatherings and private interactions have reflected openness rather than scrutiny, with many describing her as poised, respectful, and deeply conscious of the responsibilities that come with being associated with a national officeholder.

    Women leaders in the state have particularly highlighted the importance of dignity in transition—acknowledging that life evolves, families change, and peace is sometimes found after long periods of silence rather than public confrontation.

    For Benue citizens, the story is not one of controversy, but of continuity.

    Senator Akume’s long political journey—from governor to senator to one of the most senior technocratic positions in the federation—has been defined by patience, consensus-building, and an aversion to needless conflict. Many see this same temperament reflected in how his personal life has been handled.

    As one youth leader in Makurdi put it, “We are happy because our leader looks settled. A settled man leads with clarity.”

    In a time when public officials are often reduced to headlines, the people of Benue appear intent on a more grounded message: that leadership thrives when the person behind the office is at peace.

    And for them, this moment represents exactly that—a quiet return to balance, welcomed with goodwill and grace.

  • SGF Akume’s son weds in Benue

    SGF Akume’s son weds in Benue

    Samuel Aondoakura Akume, son of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, on Saturday tied the knot with Deborah Ershima, daughter of Engineer Msula Atoga, in a modest wedding ceremony held in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    The deliberately low-key event was attended by close family members and a few dignitaries. Vice President Kashim Shettima was present at the reception, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and was received by the SGF alongside Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia.

    Although private in tone, the ceremony drew guests from political and social circles. Also in attendance was the groom’s mother, Chief Mrs. Hanmo Dajor, a former wife of Senator Akume.

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    The wedding comes shortly after Senator Akume’s recent marriage to Queen Zaynab Otiti Obanor (Ngohemba), as well as the cultural activities that accompanied her homecoming to Gboko, marking a season of significant personal milestones for the Akume family.

  • Brazen arrogance and dangerous assault on democracy in Benue

    Brazen arrogance and dangerous assault on democracy in Benue

    By Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher

    On 13th December 2025, the Tiv nation celebrated Tiv Day, a day of joy and festivities for all Tiv people worldwide. President Ahmed Bola Tinubu instructed his trusted friend and political ally of many decades, Senator George Akume, CON, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), to represent him at the celebration. The President’s message of solidarity with the Tiv people was clear, passionate, and deeply resonant.

    I was a member of this presidential delegation alongside the Honourable serving cabinet minister, Professor Joseph Utsev, Minister of Water Resources, and a distinguished Tiv elder, my fellow Second Republic Senator Jack Tilley-Gyado; serving members of the National Assembly, Hon. Asema Achado and Hon. Terseer Ugbor; as well as Dr Pius Akuta and Dr Matthias Byuan, and Christopher Tarka Tiv sons holding high offices in the administration. We departed Abuja on a presidential flight that landed in Makurdi. We were all dressed in various styles and shades, highlighting Tiv culture. We looked forward to a joyful celebration and warm welcome among our brothers and sisters, as well as to relishing the honours conferred by the Tiv Traditional Council through traditional titles with diverse appellations.

    However, as soon as we landed at Makurdi airport, the Benue State Government and the Tiv Traditional Councils’ welcome party and festivities for the President’s envoy and delegation were absent. Instead, we faced a chilling and shocking display of arrogance, lawlessness, and violent intolerance in our state. What I saw on Saturday remains one of the most disturbing episodes in Nigeria’s recent political history.

    Apart from representing the President, Senator George Akume is not only the highest-ranking federal officer from Benue and a founding member of the party, but also a two-term Governor of Benue State, a three-term Senator, and a former minister. His current position is the highest any Benue person has ever held in any Nigerian Government. Moreover, he is a longstanding political benefactor to the succeeding governors of the state and to many within its political structure, including being at the forefront of the platform that elected Governor Hyacinth Alia.

    By every standard of civility, culture, and political hierarchy, the SGF deserved a respectful and dignified reception. All members of the delegation, both individually and collectively, are the very pinnacle of Tiv society and form part of the national and global elite. What we received was not a welcome but a humiliation.

    From the moment of arrival, it was clear that the Governor of Benue State, Reverend Father Dr Chief Hyacinth Alia, either failed or refused to offer the basic courtesy expected of his office. Based on his past actions, it was apparent that the Governor orchestrated the humiliation of the presidential delegation through a bold display of unwarranted political arrogance.

    Instead of a warm welcome, the Governor’s reception party was hostile, verbally abusive, and contemptuous. They sang derisive chants of “No Alia, No Benue,” a slogan weaponised to insult and diminish the SGF in full public view. It was an act of arrogance so brazen that it stunned members of the delegation. The SGF and his delegation, along with supporters, moved into their waiting vehicles to avoid escalation of chaos.

    We were compelled to flee from the hostile mob and make our way to Gboko, the venue of the Tiv Day celebration, in the hope that the cultural setting would restore calm. However, the situation worsened. A much larger, more aggressive crowd surged towards the area where the SGF was seated. Meanwhile, his delegation, the Honourable Minister, and Members of the National Assembly either shared seats, sat precariously on armrests, or stood, gazing at the rapidly unfolding, volatile, and frightening atmosphere.

    In the chaos, I saw a horrifying act. A member of the Governor’s mob, shouting “No Alia No Benue”, drew a knife and stabbed a youth who was begging for calm. The young man fell to the ground, wounded, as panic spread. The celebration ground turned into what could only be described as a battlefield — noisy, hostile, and completely out of control.

    Even the reading of the Presidential address was not spared from this disgrace. As the SGF attempted to deliver the message of Mr President, the mob surged forward onto the stage, drowning his voice with aggressive drumming, hissing, and animalistic howling. It was a deliberate attempt to silence not only the SGF but also President Tinubu himself.

    In this tense and perilous environment, members of the delegation were targeted individually. I was personally pursued by some miscreants chanting their maddening refrain, “No Alia No Benue.” Fearing for my life, I escaped into a parked bus as I watched the SGF and other members being evacuated from the arena to safety by the military. In the chaos, I missed the Presidential convoy, which managed to break free and return to the airport in Makurdi for an emergency departure back to Abuja.

    Stranded and shaken, I had to spend the night in Makurdi under tense circumstances and could only return to Abuja by road the following day, 14th December.

    This incident I witnessed is not merely an embarrassing moment for Benue State; it is a matter of national concern. It signifies a grave insult to the office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation and the Presidency. It reflects a troubling tolerance and a disturbing admiration by the Benue Government for political intimidation, mob violence, and abuse of power within Benue State.

    Governor Alia alone should accept responsibility and acknowledge the hostile environment that allowed this disgrace. Leadership requires restraint, respect for institutions, and safeguarding guests, regardless of political differences. The incidents in Makurdi and Gboko were failures of leadership and tarnish Benue State’s reputation.

    Benue State and Nigeria cannot afford to normalise such dangerous intolerance. I have decided to speak out because all lovers of democracy must condemn the treatment meted out to the SGF and the Presidential delegation in the strongest terms in the interest of democracy, unity, and national stability.      

    Finally, as one of Nigeria’s longest-serving and most senior politicians, intellectuals, and diplomats from 1977 to 2025, I have paid my dues and earned the right to state the following:

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    a.         To His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Chief Hyacinth Alia (whom I have never met in person), I have nonetheless observed your administration with deep concern: the firm grip on the State House of Assembly, the political contagion and manipulation of traditional institutions, and your involvement in conduct you should be ashamed of, such as failing to control your fiercely violent supporters and threatening to use witchcraft on people. However, nothing in your playbook of toxic leadership surpasses your ongoing, unwarranted cruelty towards the SGF, in an attempt to establish dominance. Everyone knows that the SGF’s unforgivable sin in your eyes was aiding your rise to become governor of Benue State when you were a complete outsider to the APC platform.

    b.         IF THIS DESPERATION, WHICH I HAVE SEEN YOU DISPLAY AGAINST THE BENUE STATE POLITICAL LEADERS AND PEOPLE, IS AIMED AT BECOMING A ONE-TERM GOVERNOR, THEN YOU HAVE JUST ACHIEVED YOUR GOAL AND EARNED THE PASS MARK. 

    c.         To His Royal Highness the Tor Tiv, I would like to let you know that you hold a royal, revered and prestigious stool of our ancestor Takuruku Anyam Azenga. Please do not desecrate it with political partisanship. It is deeply troubling. Please redress, Your Majesty.

    d.         To the SGF, I implore you to listen to yourself in the Bible’s parable of the Sower you gave in your Tiv Day speech. You are the Sower who sowed on hard ground, the stony ground and the thorny ground. But the next seed you will sow will be in the good and fertile ground. Do not despair, the best is yet to come.

    A word is enough for the wise.

    •Prof. Hagher was former Minister of State for Power and Steel

  • Tinubu meets Kaduna, Benue, Cross River governors in Aso Villa

    Tinubu meets Kaduna, Benue, Cross River governors in Aso Villa

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday held separate closed-door consultations with the governors of Kaduna, Benue, and Cross River states at the State House, Abuja, amid ongoing security and governance challenges in parts of the country.

    The governors, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Hyacinth Alia of Benue, and Bassey Otu of Cross River, arrived at the State House at different times before proceeding to meetings with the President.

    Details of the engagements were not officially disclosed by the Presidency.

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    However, sources familiar with the discussions said the talks centred on security concerns and other pressing governance issues confronting the three states, including communal tensions, banditry, and mounting economic pressures.

    Following the meetings, the governors declined to speak with journalists.

    They exchanged brief greetings with reporters but offered no comments as they departed the State House for their waiting vehicles.

    No official statement was issued at press time on the outcome of the consultations.

  • Pius calls for partnership, accountability, inclusive governance in Benue

    Pius calls for partnership, accountability, inclusive governance in Benue

    The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Akutah Pius, has tasked members of the ruling All Progressives Congress  (APC) in Benue State to work for good governance,  accountability, and a more inclusive political process.

    The Benue governorship aspirant made the call on Sunday during a strategic engagement with the APC Zone C Progressive Forum in Abuja. 

    The meeting, at the Maitama residence of the forum’s chairman, Chief Sylvester Ameh, the Ojebo ki’Idoma, brought together elders, stakeholders, and party loyalists committed to strengthening the APC in Benue South.

    Addressing the stakeholders, Pius was quoted in a statement by signed by his host to have urged the forum and the people of Zone C to demand good governance and accountability from all leaders, stressing that public office holders must be responsive to the needs of the people. 

    He noted that any leader who fails to meet public expectations should be democratically voted out, adding that the people must use their power to insist on performance.

    Pius further expressed displeasure over the longstanding marginalization of the zone, lamenting that Benue South has continued to experience deeper levels of exclusion. 

    He, however, called for unity, vigilance, and stronger political engagement from the zone.

    He assured the forum that if elected Governor of Benue State, he would bring his experience, capacity, and proven leadership record to bear in transforming the state and addressing longstanding structural challenges.

    The Chairman of the forum, Chief Sylvester Ameh, expressed delight in hosting the governorship aspirant and described the visit as timely and strategic. 

    He emphasized that the Benue South APC remains firmly aligned with Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, whose leadership and guidance have remained central to the zone’s political direction.

     Ameh stated that the forum has consistently supported candidates endorsed by Senator Akume and will uphold this tradition as the 2027 elections draw closer. 

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    He lamented what he described as the absence of state government presence in Benue South, especially in terms of infrastructure and capital development.

    The APC leader also highlighted the extensive efforts being made by the forum to stabilize and strengthen the APC in Zone C, rebuild internal cohesion, and enhance grassroots mobilization. 

    Ameh then commended the visible and impactful projects of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the zone, assuring that the forum will mobilize massive support for the president’s re-election bid to ensure continuity of his development initiatives.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the Benue South APC Elders Council, Chief Agbo Ogah, affirmed that the APC across Benue State—especially in Zone C—has reorganized itself and is united behind Senator George Akume He said the elders remain open to supporting any credible mission aimed at salvaging the rot in Benue State.

    He encouraged Pius to broaden his consultations across political lines so that his message of hope and development can reach all communities in the state, adding that the people are ready to embrace leadership that demonstrates competence, character, and vision.

  • Family of eight dies in ghastly accident in Benue

    Family of eight dies in ghastly accident in Benue

    A tragic yet profound reminder of life’s unpredictability unfolded in Benue State, where eight members of the Kyégh family tragically lost their lives after their vehicle veered off the road and plunged into River Dura in Kwande Local Government Area.

    The victims, all travelling together, were headed to finalise arrangements for a loved one’s burial when the accident occurred.

    News of the crash sent shockwaves through their community, leaving neighbours and relatives shaken yet inspired by the family’s unwavering bond.

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    Among those moved by the tragedy was the Executive Chairman of Vandeikya Local Government, Hon. Dennis Terkura Guda, who described the incident as “a heartbreaking tragedy that has thrown the entire Vandeikya Local Government into deep mourning, yet reminding us of the power of community and resilience.”

    Guda covered all outstanding mortuary bills and donated eight caskets to ensure the deceased were laid to rest with dignity. He also offered prayers for the Kyégh family, asking God to grant them strength in this painful moment and eternal rest to the departed.

    He reassured the grieving relatives that they would not face this dark hour alone. “No family deserves to go through such unimaginable tragedy by themselves. We are one people, and their pain is our pain. Together, we shall rise above this tragedy, stronger and more united than ever,” he said.

  • The search for lasting peace in Benue through innovative community-based peace structures

    The search for lasting peace in Benue through innovative community-based peace structures

    By Bridget Tikyaa

    Thursday, October 30th 2025 will remain a key date in the annals of Benue State history as it marks the day both the Federal and state governments, as well as all stakeholders took steps towards engraving a peace process that will bring together all communities to foster peace and social cohesion across the state.

    It was the day Benue State Government under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Dr Abiodun Essiet, and the International Communities Organisation hosted a workshop on establishing Community-Based Peace Structures across all the 23 local government areas of the state. It was not just a government event, but also an initiative that included community and religious leaders, traditional rulers, security officials, and representatives of civil society organisations within the state.

    Benue State has no doubt suffered from long years of conflicts ranging from violent clashes between herders and farmers, resulting in loss of lives and property, banditry and kidnapping, which have disrupted economic activities and daily life, communal conflicts often fueled by ethnic and land disputes, and the resultant displacements and humanitarian crisis that have strained local resources.

    Given these challenges, peacebuilding initiatives in any form will certainly lead to dialogue and reconciliation, build trust and understanding between communities, security agencies, and government institutions, and address the underlying causes of conflicts, such as land disputes and resource competition. When peace is restored, it will be easier to provide support to victims and work towards their rehabilitation and reintegration.

    Invariably, peacebuilding initiatives will create a more stable and secure environment, conducive to economic development and social progress.

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    Governor Alia said through his Deputy, Dr. Sam Ode, that the peacebuilding initiative was a commendable effort of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, wholly supported by the Benue State government, which should be sustained.

    Alia believes that traditional institutions are key drivers of peaceful coexistence and must be cultivated at all times by relevant stakeholders, including local government chairmen, whom he said, must maintain constant communication with the traditional institutions and communities to foster social cohesion.

    It is pertinent to state that Governor Alia has in the last two and half years maintained the momentum in strengthening peace-building initiatives in Benue State by working with security agencies to tackle insecurity and deploying drones for intelligence gathering.

    The government has also established a 10,000-man state security outfit equipped with motorcycles and Hilux vans to complement federal security agencies, convened a four-day security summit in partnership with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to discuss security challenges and find solutions, provided support for displaced persons and donating N5 million to each family of security operatives who lost their lives in the fight against banditry.

    The government has also been engaging local stakeholders to promote peace and reconciliation, and working with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue to address longstanding grievances and promote sustainable peace initiatives. Similarly, the Alia administration has been emphasising the importance of inclusive dialogue and community engagement to foster trust and mitigate tensions among diverse ethnic and religious groups. It has also been encouraging residents to be vigilant, work hand-in-hand with security forces, and set aside their differences to achieve peace and stability in the state.

    These initiatives of Governor Alia are what the peace enhancement workshop has highlighted, and which the government commended both the SSA to the President, and Mrs. Josephine Habba, Director-General of the Benue State Peace and Reconciliation Commission.

    For the SSA, Dr. Abiodun Essiet, unity is essential for Nigeria’s peace and prosperity, explaining that the workshop is a vital step towards strengthening community collaboration, understanding, and peace through inclusive participation.

    The initiative aims to support security agencies and strengthen the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation by expanding community peace committees. These are structures designed to improve intelligence gathering, early warning systems, and community dialogue.

    On her part, the Secretary to the State Government, Deaconess Selumun Deborah Aber, represented by James Azande, SSA to the Governor on Media, Cabinet Office, expressed support for the programme, maintaining that peacebuilding is a collective effort requiring cooperation from all stakeholders, and praised President Tinubu’s initiatives through the SSA’s office to address insecurity in the North-Central region.

    Commitments were made and agendas set by local council leaders, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders, including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breaders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).

    Comrade Vitalis Neji, Chairman of Kwande Local Government Council and the state ALGON Chairman, reaffirmed the commitment of the local councils to serving with integrity, and working collectively to ensure peace and stability across Benue State. This much was also highlighted by the representative of the traditional institution, His Royal Highness Chief Orkaa Kave, the Ter Ukum, who voiced concerns about ongoing insecurity in the state despite previous peace efforts and urged stakeholders to remain committed and true to their promises.

    Mrs. Theresa Dewua, Pastor Earnest Atogi, and Ibrahim Galma, representing the National Council for Women Societies, All Farmers Association of Nigeria, and MACBAN respectively, expressed strong support for the initiative, and called for unity and collaboration among all stakeholders to restore peace and stability throughout the state.

    The workshop has no doubt underscores both the federal and state governments’ commitment to building a peaceful society through inclusive, sustained community engagement backed by all relevant stakeholders including civil society groups, local communities and traditional institutions.

    • Bridget Tikyaa is Principal Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Publicity and Communications Strategy