“The safest shield is not the wall but trust,” declared Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State during a regional security consultation on Thursday. In a passionate address, the governor outlined the urgent humanitarian crisis facing his state, with approximately 17 internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps requiring immediate intervention.
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Speaking at the North-Central Regional Consultation on the Harmonisation of the National Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Framework, Governor Alia highlighted the devastating impact of violence that has forced thousands from their ancestral lands.
“People in some local governments have been killed, driven out, and their lands taken and occupied,” Governor Alia told participants at the workshop themed “Towards Creating Exit Pathways out of Violence and Criminality.” The stark reality of displacement across Benue State has created an urgent humanitarian situation requiring both immediate action and sustainable solutions.
The consultation, organised by International Alert in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) through the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), brought together key stakeholders to develop comprehensive strategies for addressing security challenges in the region.
Governor Alia stated that his administration has already initiated efforts to return displaced persons to their homes but requires additional support to complete this mission. “We need every resolution, and we need every solution to be placed on the table for this to work,” he stated, calling for collaborative approaches rather than militarised responses.
The governor’s appeal centred on enabling farmers to return to their lands and ensuring a secure future for children in the state. “Let us walk this road together, not armed with bullets, but with bold ideas, collaborative spirit and unwavering resolve,” he urged participants, reaffirming his commitment to peace as the ultimate goal despite widespread security sentiments.
Representing the National Security Advisor, Mairo Abbas, Director of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, explained that the workshop aimed to build a framework reflecting collective aspirations while incorporating indigenous knowledge systems. Abbas noted that the consultation provided “a unique opportunity to jointly explore practical and viable exit pathways for all affected groups,” including vulnerable populations caught in cycles of violence.
“We convene here today at a time when Nigeria as a nation is intensifying its effort towards achieving sustainable peace, enhanced national security and inclusive development,” Abbas stated, acknowledging the North-Central Region’s unique security challenges, including farmer-herder conflicts, communal violence, banditry, and violent extremism.
Country Director of International Alert Nigeria, Dr. Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, described the significance of the gathering in addressing the pervasive violence affecting the North-Central region. He characterised the DDR framework as essential for creating pathways out of violence and criminality, noting that the consultation brings diverse stakeholders together to “frame their peace and identify the drivers of violence.”
“Even though kinetic measures have been taken, different communities have taken up arms against each other, different actors have attacked several communities, and there is still a place for peace,” Dr. Nyulaku-Bemshima remarked. The consultation assembled experts to address these complex issues and formulate recommendations, with a communiqué expected at the conclusion of deliberations.
Adding an international perspective, the Team Lead for Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG), Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, explained that the programme represents the UK government’s commitment to fostering stability in Nigeria. The initiative recognises Nigeria’s potential as “a stabilising force, not just in Africa but in the world as the most populous Black country.”
Dr. Ukiwo observed that Nigeria’s persistent security challenges over the past two decades have prompted state governments to develop non-kinetic approaches to conflict resolution, signalling a shift away from purely military solutions.
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