Benue Bleeds: A Call for Peace, Unity, and Decisive Action
The Benue State crisis continues to cast a long shadow over Nigeria, with recent attacks highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions. As communities are razed and lives lost, the very fabric of the "Food Basket of the Nation" is being torn apart.
Last Friday, the tragic burning and ransacking of villages near the Nasarawa border underscored the brutal reality faced by many in Benue. President Bola Tinubu, who is slated to visit the state this Wednesday, acknowledged the pain, offering condolences and urging the people of Benue to "maintain peace and harmony among themselves." He emphasized the importance of unity in diversity, stating, "We are one single huge family living in the same house, staying in different rooms but living together in harmony will be the result of our diversity for prosperity. We should be able to manage our anger and frustrations."
Earlier, the Benue State Governor, deeply affected by the ongoing violence, conveyed the state's agony to the Inspector General of Police, declaring, "We are bleeding. We are in sorrow. I believe your visit is going to uplift our spirits and build within us formidable assurance of the fact that we are not alone and you continue to be there for us and to support and to do this journey together with us."
These "mindless acts of terror," as the Governor described them, are not merely attacks on Benue State; they are a direct assault on the sovereignty and integrity of the Nigerian nation. "An attack on any community in Nigeria is an attack on the entire nation," he asserted, vowing that "criminal elements and bandits might have operated with impunity in the past, but the day is fast approaching when they will come to attack and will never return."
The international community, including the Roman Catholic Church Pope, has also voiced concern, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Yet, questions remain about the actions and positions of those representing the people in parliament, especially given previous allegations by the Governor that some politicians are behind these attacks.
Inside the Crisis: A Legislator's Perspective
Honorable Tersoo Ugoh, a member of the House of Representatives representing Benue, offered a firsthand account of the crisis and dispelled notions of political complicity. "It's absolutely false. Absolutely not true," he stated regarding the accusation that politicians are fueling the attacks. He noted that the killings have persisted for "many, many years," impacting successive administrations.
Ugoh, whose constituency borders Cameroon, Taraba, and Kaduna – all known hotspots for conflict – highlighted the daily attacks by herdsmen in his region, including in his local government, Kundav, one of the hardest-hit areas. He firmly rejected the idea that these attacks are retaliatory, asserting, "Benue State does not have a militia. Benue State does not have any kind of gang or militia." He pointed to the dismantling of the Gana militia under former Governor Samuel Ortom as evidence.
Instead, Ugoh described the violence as "clear terrorism," potentially an "offshoot from Boko Haram," and dismissed any notion of legitimate reprisal. He corroborated claims that the perpetrators are harbored in neighboring states like Nasarawa and Taraba, specifically mentioning "Kashimila" on the border with Benue.
Benue's Strategic Importance and Dire Situation
Ugoh shed light on Benue's critical role in Nigeria and the devastating impact of the crisis:
Population: Benue is home to the Tiv people, who constitute the fourth or fifth largest ethnic group in Nigeria.
Christian Majority: Benue is 99.9% Christian, making it the most Christian state in Northern Nigeria.
Agricultural Hub: Historically, Benue has been the "food basket of the nation" due to its fertile land. However, "over 40% of our arable land currently is not being farmed," leaving hundreds of thousands displaced, and farmlands taken over by "settlements now of the Fulanis who have settled in our land right now and have taken over a lot of land for grazing."
Political Divides Amidst a Humanitarian Crisis
The call for reconciliation from President Tinubu raises questions about "opposing parties." Ugoh stressed, "We have never had a problem with any ethnic group in Benue." The issue, he contends, lies partly within the political sphere. He acknowledged a disconnect between the Governor and members of the National Assembly, attributing it to the Governor's perceived lack of engagement and support for the legislative body.
Despite belonging to the same party (APC), Ugoh stated that the Governor "has not invited us for a meeting since he became governor," leading to an internal "opposition within the party." He even noted that the party at the national level "added fire to those cracks by appointing a caretaker and dismantling a sitting executive of the party in Benue State unconstitutionally."
While refuting claims of politicians actively fueling the crisis, Ugoh highlighted the impact of political disunity on the state's overall progress. He clarified that the SGF (Secretary to the Government of the Federation), Senator George Akume, remains a respected leader within the Benue APC, but the Governor, who "came from the church" and was "not a politician," has not effectively integrated the party structure into his administration. This, he suggested, is partly because the Governor has not "fund[ed] the party [or] give[n] support to the party." Ugoh emphasized that the Governor made cabinet and local government appointments without any input from the SGF or National Assembly members.
A Path Forward: Unity and Decisive Military Action
Looking ahead to President Tinubu's visit, Ugoh expressed hope that the President would "bring peace and harmony within the party and within all." He believes a direct meeting between the President, Governor, and SGF to resolve their differences would "help matters" by fostering unity and enabling the "harness[ing] [of] all the best ideas" for peace and development.
However, Ugoh firmly asserted that political differences should not serve as an excuse for failing to address the security crisis. "The political differences is not an excuse to say because I'm not getting along with the National Assembly, I'm unable to manage a security in Benue State. I don't think that is a good excuse."
For a permanent solution, Ugoh echoed the Director-General of the DSS, stating that "communities will have to come up with self-defense mechanisms." He lamented Benue's inability to establish a robust "security architecture to protect our communities," noting the limited impact of existing state security outfits like the volunteer guards.
Crucially, Ugoh, from a military background himself, called for a shift in the military's approach. He explained that current military and police deployments in Benue are primarily for "peacekeeping" and are not mandated to pursue attackers across state lines. "The military needs to go on the offensive," he urged, concluding, "If not, this problem will not stop."
The situation in Benue demands immediate attention and a concerted effort from all stakeholders. Political reconciliation, coupled with a more aggressive and proactive security strategy, is paramount to ending the bloodshed and restoring peace and prosperity to the beleaguered state.
