Insecurity in Benue unacceptable, says IGP Disu

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, on Thursday declared the worsening insecurity in Benue State unacceptable, saying the persistent attacks have become a source of “sleepless nights” for residents and security agencies.

He assured the people that President Bola Tinubu had directed that the wave of killings and criminal activities in the state must be brought to an end.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ security meeting in Makurdi, Disu lamented that Benue, once celebrated as a peaceful and hospitable state, had been overtaken by violence.

He noted that the crisis had evolved beyond the traditional farmer-herder conflict, with kidnappers, armed gangs, cult groups and alleged political interests now fueling insecurity across the state.

The police boss urged Benue youths not to allow themselves to be recruited by influential individuals to perpetrate violence, especially during elections, warning that young people often suffer the greatest consequences of conflicts.

He condemned the cycle of attacks and reprisals, insisting that lasting peace could only be achieved through collective action.

Disu warned that only authorised security personnel were permitted to bear firearms and vowed that the police would intensify efforts to recover illegal weapons.

He disclosed that officers had been directed to act decisively under Force Order 237 whenever confronted by armed criminals, while calling on traditional rulers, elders, youths and community leaders to support security agencies with credible intelligence.

Responding to concerns over the performance of the Nigeria Police Force, the IGP admitted that the police were not perfect but maintained that Nigerian security personnel remained among the best globally.

He assured residents that complaints against police officers would be investigated promptly and directed the Benue Commissioner of Police to make his contact details publicly available to enable residents report crimes and police misconduct, stressing that the police exist to serve the people.

Disu also introduced the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Mobile Policing, Mr. Francis Iduh, who unveiled an operational strategy designed to reclaim troubled communities across the state.

Iduh disclosed that security agencies had identified 14 major flashpoints for targeted intervention.
According to him, the flashpoints include Bajimba, Arufu, Agasha, Kwande, Agatu, Naka, Otukpo, Makurdi, Apa and other vulnerable communities.

He explained that a 14-day operation involving stability and clearance patrols would focus on reclaiming forests, farmlands and criminal hideouts while targeting armed herders, bandits and other criminal elements without victimising innocent residents.

He urged communities to support the operation with credible intelligence.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, while welcoming the IGP and his delegation, described the visit as timely and a demonstration of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to restoring peace through collaboration with the state government.

He observed that insecurity had disrupted farming activities, claimed many lives and threatened Benue’s position as the nation’s food basket.

The governor said his administration had consistently supported security agencies with operational vehicles, motorcycles, communication gadgets and other logistics, while strengthening inter-agency collaboration through regular Security Council meetings, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations.

He pledged full support for the planned 14-day security operation and promised continued assistance to security personnel and the families of fallen heroes.

Alia reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, arguing that officers familiar with local communities, languages and terrain would be better equipped to tackle insecurity.

He urged traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to work closely with security agencies by providing timely information, insisting that security remains a shared responsibility.

The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, welcomed the IGP’s intervention and said the security crisis confronting Benue was far more complex than commonly portrayed.

He identified four major threats confronting the state, namely attacks by armed criminal herders allegedly operating from neighbouring Nasarawa State, indigenous armed gangs involved in kidnapping and robbery, communal and boundary disputes, and cult groups operating in urban areas.

Ayatse lamented that many communities had been displaced, with several victims living outside official Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps despite repeated intelligence reports warning of impending attacks.

He also alleged that some politicians might be benefiting from the insecurity to undermine the state government and called on the police to investigate possible sponsors, while pledging the support of the Benue people for efforts to restore peace.

Speaking on behalf of the Muslim community, Chairman of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Benue State, Garba Baba, said Muslims in the state had no conflict with any group and reaffirmed the organisation’s support for Governor Alia’s administration and all efforts aimed at restoring lasting peace across Benue.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Benue State, Rev. Jonathan Terwase Ugbede, appreciated President Tinubu, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu and the IGP Olatunji Disu for showing concern over the security challenges confronting the state.

He urged the police to act swiftly on threats circulated through social media before attacks occur and recommended regular dialogue with traditional rulers, youths, religious leaders and community groups to strengthen intelligence gathering and crime prevention.