{"id":7636,"date":"2025-04-23T08:12:06","date_gmt":"2025-04-23T08:12:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shakamomodu.com\/?p=7636"},"modified":"2025-04-23T08:12:06","modified_gmt":"2025-04-23T08:12:06","slug":"nigeria-steps-up-security-response-amid-escalating-violence-in-benue-plateau-and-beyond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shakamomodu.com\/index.php\/2025\/04\/23\/nigeria-steps-up-security-response-amid-escalating-violence-in-benue-plateau-and-beyond\/","title":{"rendered":"Nigeria Steps Up Security Response Amid Escalating Violence in Benue, Plateau, and Beyond"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"\" data-start=\"540\" data-end=\"919\">As Nigeria faces a renewed wave of violence, the federal government and state authorities have ramped up security efforts in response to escalating attacks in Benue, Plateau, and other regions. National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, reaffirmed the federal government\u2019s resolve to defeat what he termed &#8220;evil forces&#8221; threatening citizens and communities across the country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"921\" data-end=\"1229\">Speaking during a condolence visit to Makurdi, Benue State, Ribadu conveyed President Bola Tinubu\u2019s sympathies to victims of recent deadly attacks, allegedly carried out by armed herders. Ribadu emphasized unity in confronting insecurity, stating that the government remains committed to ending the killings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1231\" data-end=\"1369\">\u201cWe are fully committed to supporting state efforts to tackle insecurity. Evil may strike, but we will overcome it together,\u201d Ribadu said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1371\" data-end=\"1760\">The NSA\u2019s assurance came ahead of a high-level emergency meeting scheduled by the Nigeria Governors\u2019 Forum (NGF) to address the growing violence in Benue and Plateau. The forum, chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, pledged solidarity and support for affected communities. AbdulRazaq emphasized the need for peaceful dialogue and urged youth leaders to denounce violence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"1762\" data-end=\"2034\">Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue lamented the continued loss of lives, disclosing that over 2,500 people had been killed, and thousands displaced. Traditional leaders echoed the devastation, accusing the attackers of orchestrating long-term displacement to seize farmlands.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2036\" data-end=\"2259\">Meanwhile, Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the violence as avoidable and condemned the occupation of forests by armed groups. He called for sustainable peace, stressing unity among all ethnic and religious groups.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2261\" data-end=\"2309\">Across other states, similar responses unfolded:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2311\" data-end=\"3025\">\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2311\" data-end=\"2560\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2313\" data-end=\"2560\">In <strong data-start=\"2316\" data-end=\"2331\">Niger State<\/strong>, Governor Mohammed Bago announced he would personally lead security operations to flush out miscreants terrorizing Minna. Bago also imposed a night-time curfew on motorcycles and tricycles and warned against harboring criminals.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2562\" data-end=\"2752\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2564\" data-end=\"2752\"><strong data-start=\"2564\" data-end=\"2603\">Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo<\/strong> hosted a security summit with top political, traditional, and religious leaders. He vowed a tougher crackdown on criminals, especially in Edo North.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"\" data-start=\"2754\" data-end=\"3025\">\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"2756\" data-end=\"3025\">In <strong data-start=\"2759\" data-end=\"2768\">Gombe<\/strong>, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya held an emergency security council meeting after a fatal Easter procession turned violent in Billiri. Yahaya pledged support for victims\u2019 families and directed stricter coordination between event organizers and security agencies.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3027\" data-end=\"3294\">Prominent voices like <strong data-start=\"3049\" data-end=\"3067\">Iba Gani Adams<\/strong>, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, called for urgent restructuring of Nigeria\u2019s security architecture to include local policing. He linked the crisis to broader political failures and warned it threatens national food security.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3296\" data-end=\"3617\">The <strong data-start=\"3300\" data-end=\"3354\">Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)<\/strong> joined in the outcry, criticizing the federal government\u2019s lack of action and empathy. CISLAC\u2019s executive director, Auwal Rafsanjani, labeled the response to the growing crisis as \u201cwoefully inadequate,\u201d urging a shift from politics to people-centered governance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" data-start=\"3619\" data-end=\"3821\">From government officials to civil society and traditional leaders, the call is unanimous: urgent, coordinated action is needed to end the bloodshed and restore safety across Nigeria\u2019s troubled regions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As Nigeria faces a renewed wave of violence, the federal government and state authorities have ramped up security efforts in response to escalating attacks in Benue, Plateau, and other regions. National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, reaffirmed the federal government\u2019s resolve to defeat what he termed &#8220;evil forces&#8221; threatening citizens and communities across the country. 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