NYAN DEPUTY SPEAKER CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE SECURITY REFORMS IN BENUE — “NO MORE BLOODSHED

By Adesakin Adefemi 

RH Itodo Apeh Godswill, Deputy Speaker of the Northern Youth Assembly of Nigeria (NYAN), has issued a public open letter calling on the Benue State Government and the Federal Republic of Nigeria to urgently deploy adequate security forces, enhance community intelligence, and fund neighbourhood watch groups to stop the daily killings and kidnappings sweeping rural Benue. Representing 19 northern states plus the FCT, Godswill warned that the crisis is no longer a local issueit is a national emergency demanding presidential attention.

Recent attacks underscore the scale of the tragedy. Four civilians were killed and four abducted in a midnight raid on a provision shop in Otobi Akpa, Otukpo on Jan 10; a retired Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army was murdered in his home, and a mother and child were kidnapped in the same area; and two security operatives  a soldier and an NSCDC officer were ambushed and killed in Kwande on Jan 10. These incidents are not isolated  estimates suggest over 6,800 deaths in Benue since 2024, while the Benue State Civil Protection Guards confirm dozens more in recent weeks.

Security gaps leave rural hotspots virtually undefended. Communities like Otobi Akpa, Udeku and Yelewata report sparse patrols, reactive intelligence, and no functional community policing. Schools have closed, markets shuttered, and farms abandoned displacing over 500,000 persons into IDP camps and forcing thousands to flee into neighbouring states. Youth leaders and traditional rulers say the absence of real‑time reporting channels means attacks are often only reported after lives are lost, deepening public distrust in state capacity.

NYAN’s five‑point action plan is both urgent and practical: (1) deploy permanent, well‑equipped units backed by drones and mobile checkpoints; (2) establish secure, real‑time reporting channels for village heads, youth and religious leaders; (3) fund and supervise community‑based neighbourhood watch; (4) provide food, water, medical care and legal aid to survivors; and (5) prosecute the eight suspected herdsmen already in custody and investigate higher‑level networks. The assembly also calls for a dedicated “Benue Crisis Command” under the Presidency and a ban on open grazing paired with ranching incentives  measures already endorsed by Benue’s Attorney‑General at a national constitutional review hearing.

The NYAN vows to mobilize nationwide support through rallies, social‑media campaigns, petitions to the National Assembly, and direct meetings with the Inspector‑General of Police and the Minister of Defence. “We will march, sue, and demand the resignation of officials who fail to protect citizens,” Godswill declared. “Security is a right, not a privilege.” This echoes the call of Benue youth groups who recently urged the federal government to direct all security agencies in the state to restore peace so IDPs can safely return home.

State‑level reforms are already underway but need federal backing. Governor Hyacinth Alia has launched the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG) and the “Anyam Nyôr” Joint Task Force  a 5,000‑strong unit plus 100 Hilux vans and 600 combat motorcycles to complement the army, police and DSS. Without federal coordination, logistics, and intelligence sharing, these efforts risk being overwhelmed. Lawmakers in the Benue State House of Assembly have also demanded security outposts in flashpoints and operational motorcycles for rapid response.

Political will must translate into measurable results. The Senate has already directed NEMA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to provide relief materials, while its national‑security committee is assessing the crisis’ impact on agriculture and food production. Yet, as NYAN points out, “the time for talk is over.” Concrete timelines for deployment, arrest and prosecution, and IDP resettlement must be published weekly and verified by civil society to restore confidence.

Benue State cannot wait. The Northern Youth Assembly stands ready to partner with civil society, traditional rulers, faith leaders, and security agencies to secure justice for every victim, resettle every displaced family, and ensure no community is left defenseless “We will not rest until every kidnapper is jailed, every survivor is cared for, and every Benue citizen can sleep, farm, and walk without fear.” RH Itodo Apeh Godswill, Deputy Speaker, NYAN.