Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State has announced plans to organize a state-wide Security Summit as part of efforts to tackle the growing insecurity across the state.
The governor made the disclosure on Saturday, April 12, 2025, during an interaction with an advisory team dispatched by the Chief of Defence Staff to assess the security challenges in the state.
The meeting took place at the Government House in Makurdi.
Governor Alia noted that the state has witnessed a surge in violent attacks, particularly targeting specific local government areas, necessitating urgent and coordinated action.
“Benue has experienced increased attacks in recent times and those are mostly coming from very specific local governments, and the heat of it all is Kwande, Ukum, Katsina-ala, Logo, and Gwer-West.
“I am aware that Benue State is not the only state that is affected by this but I want you to know that we have suffered quite intensely, and the Benue people in those local government areas have undergone what is beyond imagination.”
The governor further stated that his administration has held several strategic meetings with the Office of the National Security Adviser.
He revealed that a committee, comprising representatives from the state government and the private sector, is already working towards organizing the Benue State Security Summit.
In addition, he noted that the state’s Civil Protection Guards have been strengthened to support conventional security agencies in ending the ongoing killings and displacement of residents.
“As I speak, we have a team that is working in conjunction with the state and private sector on having a Benue security summit
“We want to hold that first and then I’m already in talks with my colleague Governors in the North Central for us to hold a North Central Security Summit.” He added.
Governor Alia who thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa for his efforts in ensuring that peace returns in Benue State, advised the Advisory team to extend their visit to the neighbouring states of Taraba and Nasarawa. “We share borders with our brothers here. I feel your visit should not just stop in Benue, let the Chief of Defence Staff extend this visit to our neighbouring states of Taraba and Nasarawa.”
He called on the team to publicize the names of those it identified as sponsors of militia in the state, adding that something must be done immediately to restore peace in Benue.
Earlier, the leader of the team, Air Vice Marshal Emmanuel Oche (Rtd) explained that their visit has provided an opportunity for them to interact with relevant stakeholders, listen to them and come up with the best ways of ending the increase number of killings in Benue state, stressing that they had identified non kinetic approach as the best way of handling the issue at a moment.While commending Governor Alia for his efforts towards restoring peace in the state, the team suggested that disarming, reintegration, and resettlement of militia in some part of the state would go a long way in solving the security challenges.
Assisted by the Director General of the Benue Bureau of Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Ayangeakaa Gbamwuan (Rtd), the team earlier visited the Tor Tiv HRM Orchivirigh Prof. James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse and the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Katsina-ala Most Rev’d Isaac Dugu where they also got information about the security situation in the state.
The team was set to also visit Zone C where they would interact with the Och’ Idoma, HRM Elaigwu Odogbo John and other stakeholders in the area.
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