Chief Mike Kaase Aondoakaa (SAN), the PDP’s 2027 Benue governorship candidate, and his deputy, Dr. Ogbenjuwa Oyije Ocheakiti, have officially denounced the recent assault on Otukpo Nobi by suspected armed herders. The incident resulted in over eight deaths and forced many residents to flee. In a unified statement, the pair offered their sympathies to the bereaved families and the Idoma community, characterizing the violence as evidence of the state administration’s inability to secure citizens.
Aondoakaa rebuked the current leadership for what he called reactive governance, noting that residents remain exposed despite significant security allocations. He argued that insufficient resources provided to federal units like Operation Whirl Stroke have undermined regional security. Ocheakiti, a professional in the security sector, urged the government to replace empty condolences with preventive action.
To stabilize Benue South, the candidates introduced a plan combining force and diplomacy. Their proposal includes creating Forward Operational Bases along known infiltration routes, professionalizing state-backed volunteer guards, and using intelligence to clear out forest hideouts. They further suggested utilizing security funds for high-tech surveillance, such as drones and tracking software, to enhance early warnings. Additional proposals involve fortifying borders, resettling displaced persons, and integrating traditional leaders and youth organizations into a structured intelligence network. The duo emphasized that public safety is the core duty of governance and a central pillar of their 2027 platform.
