Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has condemned the rising violence in Benue State, labeling the current security situation intolerable. During a town hall meeting in Makurdi, Disu announced a two-week security sweep aimed at purging criminals from identified hotspots. He conveyed a directive from President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing that the federal government will no longer permit the cycle of killings and criminal activity to persist.
Disu highlighted that Benue’s peaceful reputation has been damaged by various armed groups, including bandits, kidnappers, and criminal herders. He explicitly warned youths to reject recruitment by political actors, noting that young people often suffer the worst consequences of such conflicts. Furthermore, the police chief affirmed that officers are prepared to use decisive force against armed gangs while maintaining accountability for their own personnel.
Assistant Inspector-General Francis Iduh confirmed that intensive operations will focus on 14 key locations, including Agatu, Otukpo, and Kwande, to secure forests and farmlands. Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed support for the initiative, noting that insecurity hinders the state’s agricultural output. He also advocated for the creation of state police to improve local response times.
The Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, pointed to a mix of communal strife and political exploitation as key drivers of the unrest, while leaders from the Christian and Muslim communities pledged to assist with intelligence gathering. The meeting concluded with a broad consensus that lasting peace depends on better cooperation between security forces and local stakeholders.
