An Image File Of Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday visited Benue State to commiserate with the government and people following a renewed wave of violence that has claimed over 70 lives.

During a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu assured Governor Hyacinth Alia and the people of Benue State that the federal government would not abandon them amidst the ongoing security crisis. Ribadu’s visit, directed by President Bola Tinubu, followed the “Black Friday” massacre in Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo Local Government Areas, which claimed 72 lives. He described the attacks as a tragedy and emphasized the need for unity to confront the challenges, pledging full federal support to restore peace in the region.

Ribadu acknowledged the weakened security architecture inherited by the current administration but highlighted progress made under President Tinubu’s leadership. He noted that violent incidents have been significantly reduced since the government took office, stressing that the approach to insecurity is proactive and focused on addressing root causes. Ribadu also urged stakeholders to avoid politicizing the killings, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts to restore peace.

Governor Alia lamented the devastating impact of insecurity on Benue State, describing it as the worst crisis in recent memory. He revealed that the state currently hosts 17 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, with many residents unable to return to their ancestral homes due to persistent violence. Alia called for increased federal intervention, noting that killings by terrorists and militias have crippled the local economy despite the efforts of security agencies.

The escalating violence has also affected neighboring Plateau State, where Governor Caleb Mutfwang reported that over 60 communities have been overtaken by armed invaders. Christian leaders under the Church Denominational Leaders Forum and CAN staged a peace walk, demanding an end to the killings. President Tinubu, in his Easter message, condemned the attacks and directed security agencies to act decisively, while opposition leaders criticized the government’s handling of the crisis and called for more compassionate strategies.