The Nationwide Safety Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, on Tuesday visited Benue State to commiserate with the federal government and other people following a renewed wave of violence that has claimed over 70 lives.
Talking in Makurdi throughout a stakeholders’ assembly, Ribadu assured Governor Hyacinth Alia and the folks of Benue that the federal authorities wouldn’t abandon them on this attempting time.
The go to, directed by President Bola Tinubu, got here in response to the “Black Friday” bloodbath in Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Emblem Native Authorities Areas.
“What occurred is a tragedy — an act of evil. However when evil comes, good folks should unite to confront it. We’ll clear up this downside collectively. Don’t really feel alone — this problem impacts us all,” Ribadu stated.
The NSA emphasised that Benue stays a vital a part of the nation and pledged that the state wouldn’t be left to face the safety disaster alone.
“Your entire nation is with you. I commiserate with the folks of Benue and guarantee you that this can be a attempting interval for all of us. We’re 100 per cent with you. We’ll confront this collectively,” he added.
READ ALSO: [Benue Killings] Attackers Not Nigerians, Converse Totally different Language – Alia
Ribadu famous that the present administration inherited a severely weakened safety structure, stressing that progress is already being made underneath President Tinubu’s management.
“We inherited an especially dangerous state of affairs, and though the problem is just not over, we’ve considerably lowered violent incidents since we assumed workplace. It’s a course of, and we’re tackling it head-on,” the NSA stated.
‘Cease Politicising Killings’
The Nationwide Safety Adviser referred to as for unity, urging all sides to keep away from politicising the killings.
“Give us the possibility and cease politicising the killings. It’s unattainable to put up safety brokers in each hamlet, however our armed forces are doing their greatest. We should work collectively to revive peace,” Ribadu acknowledged.
The NSA additionally highlighted that insecurity in Nigeria predates the present administration, tracing the disaster again to 2011.
“This isn’t about politics, faith, or ethnicity — it’s pure criminality. Many countries around the globe, together with Sudan, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, face comparable and even worse challenges,” he stated.
Ribadu cited his previous work in Afghanistan to underline the worldwide nature of safety threats and recommended the federal authorities’s method underneath President Tinubu, which he described as “listening and proactive.”
“The way in which the federal government is responding to insecurity at this time is totally different. We’re figuring out root causes and confronting them instantly. We’ve made important progress, and we’ll proceed to enhance,” he famous.
‘A Black Friday’
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Alia described the safety disaster because the worst in current reminiscence, lamenting that Benue had remained underneath siege since 2011.
“As an alternative of a Good Friday, we skilled a Black Friday, marked by venomous assaults on Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Emblem. It’s a devastating time for us. We misplaced 72 lives — it’s insufferable,” the governor stated.
He revealed that Benue at present homes 17 internally displaced individuals (IDP) camps, with many residents unable to return to their ancestral properties as a result of persistent insecurity.
“Killings by terrorists, bandits, and militias have crippled our native financial system. The safety companies have labored tirelessly, and the President has been very supportive, however we want extra assist,” the governor added.
Ribadu reiterated that these acts of violence wouldn’t be tolerated and guaranteed that “this evil might be defeated.”
Incessant Bloodshed
The safety disaster in Benue State continues to worsen, with the loss of life toll rising to 72 after coordinated assaults by suspected herders over the weekend in Ukum and Emblem native authorities areas. Governor Alia had referred to as on President Tinubu’s administration to behave swiftly to revive peace and forestall additional bloodshed.
In neighbouring Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang revealed that over 60 communities have already been overtaken by armed invaders. He described the state of affairs as a scientific marketing campaign of land-grabbing and violence, urging pressing federal intervention.
In response to the escalating violence, Christian leaders underneath the Church Denominational Leaders Discussion board and the Christian Affiliation of Nigeria (CAN) staged a peace stroll on Monday, demanding an finish to the killings.
In the meantime, President Tinubu, in his Easter message, condemned the assaults and promised that “forces of evil won’t ever prevail,” whereas directing safety companies to behave decisively. Nonetheless, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi criticised the federal government’s dealing with of the disaster, advocating extra people-focused and compassionate methods.
The most recent assaults — together with the April 2025 massacres in Bokkos and Bassa, which claimed over 100 lives — are among the many deadliest because the 2023 Christmas Eve killings that left round 150 useless in Plateau.
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