Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has renewed his call for the urgent establishment of State Police in Nigeria, citing the persistent failure of the current centralized security structure to address ongoing attacks and killings, particularly in Benue State.
Governor Alia made the remarks on Tuesday while receiving Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, who visited the state to sympathize with the people over the continued loss of lives and mass displacement due to violent attacks.
He stressed that a decentralized, locally-managed police force is essential for improving intelligence gathering, rapid response, and accountability in vulnerable communities.
“The current security architecture has not proven sufficient in curbing the incessant attacks on our communities.
“It is time for Nigeria to embrace State Police as a practical and necessary step towards securing lives, property, and lasting peace,” he said.
The Governor also reiterated his call for a regional approach to ranching and appealed to the First Lady to lead efforts for the domestication of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law across the North Central region.
He argued that consistent enforcement of the law in all states within the region would prevent armed herders and other offenders from exploiting jurisdictional loopholes to evade justice.
Governor Alia revealed that Benue is currently home to over 1.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), spread across formal camps and host communities.
He said recent attacks in Makurdi and Naka have resulted in the creation of new IDP settlements, adding to the already dire humanitarian situation.
He thanked Senator Tinubu for her compassion and support through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which he noted has positively impacted women, youth, traders, and other vulnerable groups in the state.
“The people of Benue State are sincerely grateful. Your visit is not just symbolic, it is impactful and healing,” the Governor said.
In her remarks, the First Lady extended condolences to Governor Alia, the Tor Tiv, and the people of Benue over the recent Yelewata massacre. She announced a donation of N1 billion to support the rebuilding and resettlement of families displaced by attacks linked to marauding armed herders.
Credit: Tersoo Kula,
