By Our Reporters, With Agency Reports
IN A CONCERTED push to quell the persistent insecurity plaguing parts of Benue State, the Federal Government has intensified community engagement and on-the-ground assessments, with a presidential aide assuring affected communities that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully committed to restoring enduring peace.
Dr. Abiodun Essiet, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), led a series of engagements in the state on Friday, combining a visit to recently attacked communities with a broader stakeholder forum aimed at addressing the root causes of the conflict.
Assessment in Kwande LGA
Dr. Essiet’s first stop was in Kwande LGA where she visited communities that have suffered recent attacks. During the visit, she met with traditional rulers, women, youths, and displaced persons to hear their grievances first-hand.
The SSA acknowledged the community’s concerns, which included delays in security response times and issues of trust. She disclosed that before arriving in Kwande, she had held meetings with the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke to seek clarifications on these operational challenges.
“They reassured me and explained the situation. We understand how deeply this affects you. I am here to see things for myself and report exactly what you have shared,” Dr. Essiet told the gathering.
She emphasized that President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, is aware of the situation and is taking steps to address it.
“I want to assure you that the Nigerian Army remains neutral, committed to protecting lives and property, and will never take sides or arm anyone. I ask for your patience as these measures continue to be implemented,” she stated.
Mr. Abaa Bichi, President of the Turan Development Association (TUDA), briefed the presidential team on the severity of the situation, describing the attacks not as random but as “organised and systemic.” He pointed to the porous border with Taraba State as a key route used by the attackers.
Bichi also linked illegal mining activities in the area to the worsening insecurity and called for a suspension of all mining operations until peace is restored. He also appealed for the reconstruction of federal roads in the area to improve movement and enhance the security apparatus’ ability to respond swiftly.
Dr. Essiet promised to document all concerns and relay them to the President. On the issue of natural resources and mining, she pledged to engage with the relevant minister to ensure that federal and state governments work together so that resources are used to benefit host communities through legal mining practices and corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Citizens’ Assembly in Ushongo LGA
In a related development, Dr. Essiet’s office also convened a Citizens’ Assembly in Ushongo LGA, bringing together stakeholders from the seven LGAs that make up the Benue Northeast Senatorial District: Vandeikya, Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Kwande, Konshisha, Ushongo, and Logo.
The assembly was designed as a non-kinetic approach to conflict resolution, providing a platform for dialogue. It was a follow-up to the Presidential Community Engagement Peace Initiative launched in 2025.
Dr. Essiet explained that the forum was crucial for hearing directly from communities about issues affecting them. Key concerns raised included border challenges with neighbouring Taraba and Nasarawa states, infrastructural deficits that hinder security responses, and communication gaps that make it difficult to alert authorities during emergencies.
“We have deployed additional military personnel, asked the police to increase their presence, and strengthened security across affected communities,” Dr. Essiet assured the stakeholders. “We have also emphasised the importance of regular stakeholder dialogue so that communities can understand each other’s concerns and collectively decide on the way forward. We believe that consistent communication and cooperation at the local level were critical to sustaining peace in Benue.”
Regarding the porous borders, the SSA disclosed that she had discussed collaborative initiatives with the state’s Deputy Governor, Sam Odeh, and would be relaying the communities’ recommendations to President Tinubu.
On infrastructure, she informed the gathering about ten ongoing federal road projects in the state and assured them that all problematic roads would be reported to the Minister of Works, noting that poor road conditions directly impede security operations.
Stakeholders at the assembly lauded the Federal Government’s initiative. Mr. Frank Adzuu of the Benue Peace Commission stated that the engagement is “making a real difference,” while Mr. Fidelis Unongu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, commended the promotion of peace and stressed that for peace to be lasting, “rules, regulations, and laws must be respected and enforced.”
