Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has announced plans to convene a state-wide security summit as part of his administration’s efforts to tackle the persistent insecurity plaguing the state.
Speaking on Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Government House in Makurdi, Governor Alia disclosed this during an interactive session with an advisory team dispatched by the Chief of Defence Staff to assess the security challenges in Benue.
The governor highlighted that the state has witnessed a surge in violent attacks, particularly in certain local government areas.
“Benue has experienced increased attacks in recent times, and these are largely concentrated in specific local governments.
“The most affected areas include Kwande, Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Logo, and Gwer West,”; he said.
While acknowledging that other states are also grappling with insecurity, Alia emphasized that the suffering endured by the people of Benue, especially in the affected communities has been immense.
He noted that his administration has held several high-level meetings with the Office of the National Security Adviser and has already set up a working committee involving the state government and private sector stakeholders to organize the security summit.
“We currently have a dedicated team working with both the state and private sector to put together a Benue Security Summit,”; Alia explained.
“Our goal is to start with that, and I’m also in discussions with fellow governors in the North Central zone to organize a broader North Central Security Summit,” he added.
Governor Alia also revealed that steps have been taken to bolster the state's Civil Protection Guards to support conventional security agencies in curbing the ongoing violence and displacement of residents.
He expressed gratitude to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for his ongoing efforts toward restoring peace in Benue. He further urged the advisory team to extend their fact-finding mission to neighboring states like Taraba and Nasarawa, where similar security concerns persist.
“This is a positive step forward for our dear state,” the governor added.
