Killings have continued unabated in Benue State despite pledges by both the government and the security agencies to end the decades of bloodshed. The situation remains dire, and the residents of Benue are caught in a seemingly endless cycle of violence and fear.
Reports indicate that at least 18 out of the 23 local government areas in the state are constantly under threat from armed attackers. Bandits and herdsmen militias have been rampaging through the state for years, launching deadly attacks on several communities almost daily. The scale and frequency of these attacks suggest a lack of effective response from both local and national authorities.
Thousands of innocent citizens, including children, have lost their lives to these terrorizing attackers. The brutality does not stop at killing; women have been raped, and countless unsuspecting citizens have been kidnapped for ransom. These incidents often go unreported, particularly those occurring in remote villages, making the situation even more complex and challenging to address.
According to various reports, over 2,650 innocent citizens have been murdered in the past year alone. These unprovoked attacks by non-state actors continue to cause chaos across the state, leaving a trail of blood and tears.
Barbara Magaji, the Amnesty International Programme Director, disclosed on June 26 that about 2,600 people were killed in Benue within one year. This staggering number highlights the intensity and persistence of the violence. Many survivors have been forced to abandon their ancestral homes and are now squatting in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps scattered across the state.
The recent spate of attacks paints a grim picture of the insecurity in Benue. On July 4, armed assailants attacked the Ayati and Borikyo communities in the Ukum Local Government Area, resulting in the deaths of at least six persons. A few weeks earlier, on June 19, suspected herdsmen killed more than fifteen persons in renewed attacks on Ikpele and Olegomachi villages in the Agatu Local Government Area. These attacks left several people dead and others injured, adding to the long list of casualties in the region.
Just last week, another deadly attack occurred in the Iwari and Olegagbane communities, resulting in the deaths of about ten people. Shortly after, on July 19, gunmen believed to be militias struck again, killing 18 persons, kidnapping three others, and destroying properties worth millions of Naira in the Mbacher council ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
These recurring attacks demonstrate a pattern of violence that is not only predictable but also preventable, given the right political will and security strategy. Unfortunately, the state seems to be lacking both.
The problem of kidnapping has also been on the rise in Benue State. On August 15, a particularly concerning incident involved the kidnapping of 20 students from the University of Maiduguri and the University of Jos. These students were traveling to Enugu State for their annual Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) Convention when they were abducted in Otukpo, Benue State. Fortunately, they were rescued by security operatives on August 23 after the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, deployed a tactical squad to the state. However, the incident has heightened fears about the safety of both residents and visitors to the state.
Benue State, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation” due to its large-scale cultivation of crops like rice, cassava, yam, tomatoes, pepper, and soybeans, has been significantly affected by the ongoing violence. The constant attacks have displaced thousands of farmers, forcing them to abandon their farms and flee for their lives. There is growing concern that Benue may lose its status as the food basket of the nation due to these incessant attacks.
According to reports that over 50 percent of the farming communities in Guma, Agatu, and Gwer-West Local Governments have been displaced, leaving them with no access to farmlands or any means of livelihood. As a result, the state’s contribution to the national food supply has diminished, exacerbating the hunger crisis in Nigeria.
The violence in Benue has created a massive humanitarian crisis. Over 2.5 million people have been displaced by gun-wielding criminals and are scattered across 14 IDP camps in five local government areas in the state. The conditions in these camps are deplorable, with limited access to food, clean water, and medical care. This situation has further fueled the hunger crisis, not just in Benue but also in neighboring states that are bearing the burden of displaced persons.
In addition to the loss of lives and livelihoods, the insecurity in Benue has also affected education. According to the Benue State Ministry of Education and the Teaching Service Board, at least 55 schools have been destroyed or closed down due to the ongoing violence, leaving hundreds of children out of school. This growing number of out-of-school children is a serious concern for the future of the state and the country at large.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, who took office earlier this year, pledged to address the menace and ensure a peaceful environment for academic activities to thrive. “We regret the number of Benue children who are out of school due to insecurity. My government is not resting and it is not sleeping until insecurity is wiped out from Benue State and the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, return to their ancestral homes,” the governor said. However, since this promise was made, the situation appears to have worsened.
A source, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed frustration over the government’s handling of the security situation. According to the source, the governor is “confused” and “helpless” in dealing with the crisis. The source said, “Don’t let anyone deceive you. Alia is helpless on the issue of insecurity in Benue. He is confused. The thing is beyond him as it is right now.”
The security crisis in Benue is not just a result of banditry or militia activities. It is also a political issue. During Governor Samuel Ortom’s tenure, he was heavily criticized by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) for his handling of the security situation. Now that the APC is in power, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has taken over the role of critic. This cycle of blame-shifting has done little to improve the security situation in the state.
Despite these challenges, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Benue State command, DSP Catherine Sewuese, insists that the situation is improving. She told DAILY POST, “The security crisis is not getting worse in Benue. If you have been following events, you will hear about security agencies engaging bandits in the state.” Her comments, however, stand in stark contrast to the realities on the ground, where the violence seems unabated.
The ongoing violence in Benue State has created a humanitarian and security crisis that requires urgent attention. The continued loss of lives, displacement of communities, and destruction of infrastructure have left the state in a precarious situation. To restore peace and order, there is a need for a more coordinated and comprehensive approach to security, involving both state and non-state actors. Until then, the people of Benue will continue to live in fear and uncertainty, hoping for a better tomorrow.
