With reference to the killing of over 30 persons in Benue state on November 24, 2024, by suspected herdsmen that disappeared into the forest after the evil operation, it’s obvious that the indigenes of the state have not been getting the desired protection from security operatives.
The invaders are said to be claiming ownership of the indigenes’ ancestral land which necessitated the attack by heavily armed men who stormed Adabo village and the Gwebe settlement in Utange wards Shirley in Kasina-Ala local government area. The brutal attack extended to Azege settlement and environs of Ayilyma Tombo ward including Mbatuyla ward of Katsina-Ala.
Also, with reference to the days of Moses in the scripture who battled to deliver stiff necked Israelites from the bondage of Egyptians for many years, the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, should not be mistaken for a magician but a figure head that is in front of the battle field. Just like Aaron was the strong partner of Moses, Benue citizens, especially in the remote areas that are vulnerable to insurgencies by now with their bitter experiences of bloodshed and killings in their areas, should be the eyes of the governor who will immediately spring into action having prior information of any impending attacks.
Similar to what used to happen in Plateau state when herdsmen took advantage of Plateau state indigenes who were said to have love for alcohol and attacked them unexpectedly at midnights, some Benue indigenes could be informants to their greatest enemies. The citizens are now left to mourn their dear ones and people that would have kept their family names either because of their ignorance to have fallen into the conviction of political interest or because of small money given to them to betray themselves and brothers; by keeping quiet to privileged information that if disclosed to Fr. Alia, would have quickly made moves to rescue them and their families.
Since Plateau indigenes decided to wake up from their slumber of alleged drunkenness and became local vigilantes that defended their lands and families against midnight attacks of their enemies, such deadly attacks have drastically reduced.
Part of the successful changes effected by the Fr. Alia administration is to ensure regular payment of traditional rulers’ emoluments including hospital bills. Major area of concentration is collaboration with the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission through submission of data/indices to boost the state local government allocation from the federation account for the development of local government areas in the state. But the rhetorical question here is, “if the state government cares for traditional rulers including their hospital bills and budgeted money to develop the rural areas, what then are these monarchs offering to the government in return to help curb insecurity and killings of their people? And if the government is desirous in developing the rural areas with all the killings, who then will live to see the developed areas.
For a traditional ruler to see the amount of bloodshed of his subjects and still remains unmoved because his immediate family is protected, he should bear in mind that “when the poor is hungry the rich also cry and cannot sleep too”.
Among the successful contributions of the government to her state recorded in history now is the purchase of over 50 units of 2022- 2023 Toyota Hilux vehicles to be donated to government officials and conventional security across the 23 local government areas as part of Fr. Alia’s commitments to fight insecurity including purchasing of over 300 motorcycles (Bajaj) to donate to local government officials and internal security for quick response to emergency of security across the 23 local government areas.
However, these efforts of the governor raise questions on why there are still lapses with insecurity in the state or why government officials have refused to note that they will not remain in the city for too long. The governor is known to supervise his approved projects as he takes his people unawares. This recent conflict that has left people to be widows and widowers even with provision of mobility for easy movement should endear the governor to visit these local government areas to ensure that the vehicles and motorcycles are truly given to the right people.
Benue is one of the states prone to insurgency with large landscape and most citizens are predominantly farmers. There, is therefore, urgent request for the federal government to consider the deployment of more security personnel to mount the local government areas borders. There is also need for the government to spread security officers to the local government areas and hold officers responsible for any other hostility. I wish to appeal to the government that has provided mobility for easy movement and communication to further provide accommodation for security officers as well as place more security at their borders.
Governor Alia should also note that he is the head of his state and should take responsibility for every individual in his state. There should be a clarion call for all the indigenes to call on their God to restore peace to their land as well as arrest perpetrators and sponsors of the blood warriors. Indigenes of the state should note that they suffer from these dangerous wars thus the need for them to resist high consumption of alcohol and money that will rather cause them misery and agony.
Local government caretaker committees, chairman DASAs, local government administrators, aides, boundary commissioners, council of chiefs commission, commander of the Civil Defense Corps and commander of road safety, indigenes and non-indigenes of Benue state who have accepted responsibility to live and support the efforts of the governor have also accepted to be held accountable for the failure and success of the governor. The governor at this point needs ideas that will leave positive story of the state and not personal interest that has no value addition.
Everyone in the Alia administration will thus be in the seat of reckoning after its tenure. Fr. Alia should endeavour to mount strong surveillance around Katsina-Ala which has suffered great loss recently. Furthermore the presence of the military will not only challenge these acclaimed unknown militias but will as well restore hope in the lives of the citizens.
