The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Dr. Abiodun Essiet, has begun a three-day dialogue mission in Benue State to address persistent security challenges and foster grassroots peacebuilding, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s strategy to enhance local participation in conflict resolution and security cooperation.
Dr. Essiet’s schedule includes consultations with state leadership and direct engagement with communities affected by insecurity. She first met with Deputy Governor Sam Ode, who detailed the state government’s ongoing security measures, particularly in border areas. Ode highlighted existing cross-border collaborations with neighbouring Taraba and Nasarawa states to mitigate communal tensions, land disputes, and transitory crime along shared boundaries. He reaffirmed Benue’s commitment to partnering with federal authorities on boundary demarcation and security.
Later, Dr. Essiet held a courtesy meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia, outlining the nationwide community dialogue programme. Both officials exchanged feedback from local residents and leaders, discussing ways to improve conflict resolution mechanisms. Governor Alia stressed that poor federal road infrastructure in rural parts of the state hampers emergency security responses. He directed the state Department of Peace and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Unit to coordinate closely with the presidential team, integrating the visit with existing state peace initiatives.
As part of her field engagement, Dr. Essiet will assess the security situation in Kwande Local Government and hold discussions across the Benue North-East Senatorial District. A key activity will be a citizens’ assembly bringing together representatives from seven local government areas—Katsina-Ala, Konshisha, Kwande, Logo, Ukum, Ushongo, and Vandeikya—to promote dialogue and peaceful coexistence.
The mission unfolds against a backdrop of recurring communal tensions and security pressures in Benue. Separately, defence and security stakeholders have called for the establishment of dedicated trauma support centres for widows of fallen military personnel. Speaking at the “Heroes for Heroes” project in Abuja, Hussaina Bangshika urged concerted federal, state, and civil society action to provide long-term psychological, emotional, and social support to military families. She noted that existing support is often limited and short-term, failing to address prolonged trauma and financial hardship.
Health advocate Moji Makanjuola emphasized that no widow should bear the cost of her husband’s sacrifice, urging increased governmental support. Lt.-Commander Ibrahim Babainna (rtd) and Dr. Faith Eches, convener of the project, underscored that honouring fallen heroes through sustained care is essential for national morale and future recruitment.
Dr. Essiet’s Benue engagement and the trauma support advocacy both reflect a dual-track approach: strengthening community-level conflict prevention while addressing the long-term human costs of insecurity on vulnerable populations. The outcomes of these dialogues are expected to inform federal-state coordination on security and social welfare policies.
