From Femi Mustapha in Kaduna
A group under the auspices of The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), has said Benue State must not be allowed to slide into protracted insecurity and abandonment.
The Executive Director of PWAN, Kemi Okenyodo stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna today.
The statement stated that the situation in Benue State demands urgent, sustained, and inclusive action that prioritizes human dignity, civilian protection, and long-term peacebuilding.
The Executive Director expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in Benue State, where repeated violent attacks on communities have led to mass displacement, the loss of lives, and widespread destruction of property.
According to her, these attacks—often attributed to armed herders and criminal elements—have become increasingly frequent, with little visible deterrence or accountability across Nigeria’s security, political, and judicial institutions.
She expressed dismay that the persistent failure to protect lives and prevent these atrocities reflects a breakdown in both preventive and responsive mechanisms at the local, state, and federal levels.
“In particular, the leadership of Nigeria’s security architecture—including the Nigeria Police Force, the military, and intelligence agencies—must be held accountable for the continuing inability to safeguard vulnerable communities and deter armed non-state actors.”
She stressed that there is an urgent need for coordinated and proactive security deployment, improved intelligence gathering, and stronger civilian oversight. Equally critical, is the activation of judicial accountability through independent investigations and the prosecution of perpetrators.
“Political leaders must demonstrate the will to act decisively, allocate resources appropriately, and enforce institutional accountability at all levels. Anything less reinforces a culture of impunity and undermines public trust in governance and the rule of law.”
The Executive Director lamented the devastating impact on women, children, and the elderly, noting that displacement has rendered thousands vulnerable to hunger, exposure, and violence, with women and girls at increased incidences of gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse.
“Children have been cut off from education and healthcare, while many elderly persons—often unable to flee—have been abandoned in the wake of attacks. The violence has also severely affected food security, both in Benue State and beyond. As Nigeria’s “Food Basket,” Benue plays a vital role in national agricultural production.
“The destruction of farms, forced migration of farmers, and loss of livestock have led to a dramatic decline in food availability, deepening the hunger crisis across affected communities and threatening regional food systems.”
PWAN therefore, called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to urgently deploy coordinated security operations to protect civilians and restore order.
The group urged the Benue State Government to strengthen humanitarian response mechanisms, with targeted support for women, children, and displaced populations, adding that, security agencies must act to forestall the occupation of deserted lands by persons believed to have links to the killings and violence.
“Further, we appeal to the National Assembly to exercise legislative oversight and promote policies that address land-based conflicts, armed group proliferation, and climate-induced displacement.
“Benue State must not be allowed to slide into protracted insecurity and abandonment. The situation demands urgent, sustained, and inclusive action that prioritizes human dignity, civilian protection, and long-term peacebuilding.
“Partners West Africa–Nigeria (PWAN) stands in solidarity with the people of Benue and remains committed to supporting rights-based, gender-responsive, and community-led approaches to national security and social justice,” the statement reads.
