Benue State in Nigeria is grappling with a dire security crisis, marked by a series of gruesome attacks that have left hundreds dead and many more displaced. The recent massacre of over 200 people in the state, carried out by suspected herdsmen, has sent shockwaves across the nation and sparked intense debate about the root causes of the violence and the response of the government.
At the heart of the crisis is a complex web of ethnic and economic tensions, with the Fulani herders at the center of the controversy. According to Magagi Mike Alidu, President of Ochetoha K’Idoma Youth Wing Worldwide, the attacks are part of an “occupational agenda” aimed at driving out the indigenous population and taking over their land. “They want to put a level of fear into us as they are killing our people and we are facing all sorts of atrocities,” Alidu explained in a recent interview.
The Nigerian government has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, with many arguing that its response has been inadequate and ineffective. The Chief of Army Staff’s brief visit to the state, for example, was followed by an increase in attacks, with the herdsmen launching a series of brutal assaults on innocent civilians. “The impact of his visit was negative and it did not yield any result,” Alidu said, highlighting the need for a more robust and sustained response to the crisis.
However, there are signs that the government is beginning to take the crisis more seriously. President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the state, during which he questioned the lack of arrests made in connection with the attacks, has led to the detention of several individuals in neighboring Nasarawa state. While it is too early to say whether this will mark a turning point in the crisis, it is a welcome development in a situation that has been marked by impunity and inaction.
Despite these tentative steps forward, the situation on the ground remains dire. Thousands of people have been displaced, with many forced to flee their ancestral homes in search of safety. The support provided to these individuals has been woefully inadequate, with many struggling to access basic necessities like food and shelter. “There is no IDPs camp in Agatu,” Alidu said, highlighting the neglect of certain communities. “We have been attacked on several occasions and nothing has been done. Houses have not been rebuilt. People are not even rehabilitated because of their traumatic nature.”
As the people of Benue State struggle to come to terms with the trauma they have experienced, it is clear that a more comprehensive and sustained response is needed to address the crisis. This must involve not only the provision of humanitarian aid but also a concerted effort to address the root causes of the violence and to hold those responsible to account. Only through a combination of these measures can we hope to bring peace and stability to this troubled region.
