By Prince John Adegbola
The soil of Benue State is stained once again with the blood of innocent Nigerians. In recent weeks, gruesome attacks by armed assailants—often linked to militia herders—have left dozens dead in communities across Gwer-West, Agatu, Logo, and Ukum. Homes were razed. Families were wiped out. Survivors fled into the forests and IDP camps, with nothing but grief and trauma.
And as the pattern goes, government officials issue condolences, security forces arrive too late, and the news cycle moves on. But for the victims and their families, the pain never fades. And the fear never ends.
The killings in Benue are not new. For over a decade, the state—Nigeria’s “Food Basket”—has been the epicenter of deadly farmer-herder conflicts. With climate change accelerating desertification in the north, pastoralist migration southward has intensified land disputes with local farming communities.
Benue’s bold 2017 Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law was a step forward. However poor enforcement, lack of alternatives for herders, and the continued failure of the federal government to support ranching infrastructure have left the state exposed and vulnerable.
This is not merely a local crisis. It is a national failure. Government Response: A Patchwork of Promises
To its credit, the Benue State Government under Governor Hyacinth Alia has made efforts—deploying Civil Protection Guards and initiating community policing programs. The Senate has called for weapons mop-ups, new military barracks, and national ranching policies. The House of Representatives has passed motions for security deployments and humanitarian aid.
But the question remains: why do the killings persist?
Because the government’s response has been largely reactive, fragmented, and politically hesitant. Attacks are often preceded by warnings. Yet nothing happens—until the blood flows. Few, if any, perpetrators are arrested. Fewer are prosecuted. Justice is not only delayed—it is denied altogether.
A Nation Gripped by Insecurity. Benue is a reflection of a much deeper national crisis. Across Nigeria, insecurity now defines everyday life—from Boko Haram attacks in the Northeast to banditry in the northwest, to kidnappings in the south.
The causes are well known:
• Weak, centralized policing unable to cover Nigeria’s vast and diverse terrain;
• The unchecked proliferation of arms across ungoverned spaces;
• Widespread poverty and youth unemployment;
• Ethno-religious divisions that remain unresolved;
• And most critically, a justice system and political leadership that allow impunity to thrive.
When a government consistently fails to protect its people, when laws are not enforced, and when killings become routine, then the very idea of a functioning state is in question.
Yes—This Is a Failure of Government!
The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria is unambiguous in Section 14(2)(b): “The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
By that standard, every level of government—federal, state, and local—has failed.
Our leaders must stop treating mass killings as public relations problems. These are not statistics. These are human lives—cut short by bullets, machetes, and silence.
The Urgent Case for State Policing
Now more than ever, Nigeria must embrace state policing. The current centralized model, where the Inspector-General in Abuja controls all police commands, is archaic and ineffective for a country of over 220 million people.
State policing does not mean a free-for-all. It means trained, accountable forces—controlled and funded at the state level, and tailored to local realities. It means quicker response times, better community trust, and more relevant intelligence. Without it, states like Benue will continue to bury their dead while waiting for federal miracles that never come.
It is time to move beyond fear and excuses. State policing is not optional. It is essential.
A Call to Conscience
In lending his voice to this national tragedy, Prince John Adegbola has called on President Bola Tinubu, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and all levels of government to wake up to their constitutional responsibility. The time for complacency has long passed.
“The blood of our citizens cannot continue to be the price of political indecision. We must protect our people. We must secure our future.” — Prince John Adegbola
This call is not just timely—it is urgent. We must move from talk to action. From delay to decisiveness.
Final Word
Until Benue is safe, Nigeria is not safe.
Until perpetrators are punished, peace will remain a myth.
Until we restructure our security architecture, governance remains a failure.
The blood of innocent Nigerians cries out—not just for justice, but for leadership.
And the time to lead is now.
