Residents of Benue State are intensifying calls on the federal government to declare a state of emergency, following a surge in violent attacks that have left dozens dead and many more displaced.
The latest incidents, blamed on suspected armed herders, have severely impacted communities in Apa and Gwer West Local Government Areas.
On Sunday, June 1, coordinated attacks in both areas reportedly claimed the lives of at least 20 people, according to police accounts. However, local sources believe the actual death toll could be higher, with some estimates exceeding 30.
Survivors have shared harrowing accounts of destruction, including the burning of homes and the abduction of several residents.
Amid growing concerns, the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has called on President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state.
The bishops cited persistent killings, displacement, and psychological trauma, stressing that the situation has become unbearable and demands urgent federal intervention.
However, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has dismissed these calls, describing them as politically driven and not reflective of the current security efforts.
He pointed to the deployment of joint security forces in the troubled areas and maintained that his administration is actively working to restore peace and stability.
Similarly, the Arewa group, through its chairman Abdulhamid Abdullahi Jakadan, has cautioned that invoking a state of emergency could jeopardize national unity.
The ongoing conflict, primarily between herders and farmers, has raised serious concerns about food security in Benue, widely known as Nigeria’s “Food Basket.”
A recent study reveals that rising insecurity has significantly disrupted agricultural activities in the state, leading to sharp declines in both crop and livestock production.
As the crisis worsens, residents and community leaders continue to urge the federal government to take more decisive steps to address the root causes of the violence and ensure better protection for vulnerable populations.
