The Nigerian Government has reassured communities in Benue State of its resolve to tackle insecurity and restore lasting peace across the country.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North Central), Abiodun Essiet, gave the assurance on Thursday during the second day of her official community engagement visit to Benue State, where she reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s resolve to address security challenges in the state and other affected parts of the country.
Speaking during interactions with residents, Dr. Essiet stressed that the Nigerian Government remains committed to restoring peace and stability, noting that “sustained collaboration among communities, security agencies and traditional institutions is essential to achieving lasting security.”
She explained that “the engagement forms part of the Presidential Community Engagement Peace Initiative, designed to ensure that community perspectives inform policy responses and security strategies while strengthening peacebuilding efforts and social cohesion in affected areas.”
Dr. Essiet also reiterated the Nigerian Government’s ongoing efforts to curb terrorist activities and intensify security operations across the North-Central region and other parts of the country facing similar challenges.
Residents narrated the impact of persistent attacks on their communities, particularly incursions by armed herders which they said had “resulted in displacement, loss of lives and the destruction of homes and farmlands.”
The communities appealed to the Nigerian Government for urgent intervention to halt the violence and restore normalcy.
As part of the visit, the Presidential aide convened the physical session of the Citizens’ Assembly in Ushongo Local Government Area, bringing together a broad spectrum of stakeholders from across the Benue North-East Senatorial District.
Participants included traditional rulers, religious leaders, farmers, herders, youth and women drawn from Katsina-Ala, Konshisha, Kwande, Logo, Ukum, Ushongo and Vandeikya Local Government Areas.
The session provided an open platform for stakeholders to articulate the challenges confronting their communities, with insecurity, infrastructural deficits and the socio-economic impact of recurring conflicts dominating discussions.
Participants attributed the persistent instability in the region largely to border disputes, farmer–herder clashes and the activities of individuals who exploit communal tensions for personal interests.
On her part, Dr. Essiet assured them that their concerns and recommendations would be documented and communicated to the Presidency and relevant federal authorities for necessary action.
She reiterated the commitment of the Renewed Hope administration to strengthening community engagement as a critical component of addressing security challenges across the country.
The Presidential aide also encouraged residents to continue supporting security agencies with credible information while maintaining peaceful cooperation with government efforts aimed at restoring stability in the region.
Dr. Essiet also paid a courtesy call on the Tor Kwande I, His Royal Highness Zaki Ambrose Iortyegh, where she briefed the monarch on the objectives of the engagement, noting that the visit reflects the Presidency’s commitment to direct dialogue with communities affected by insecurity across the North-Central region.
The royal father commended the Government for sending a representative to listen to the concerns of the people and called for urgent and decisive action to restore peace in the affected areas.
Dr. Essiet later proceeded to Jato-Aka in Kwande Local Government Area for a condolence visit and an on-the-spot assessment following the recent wave of attacks in the community.