In the wake of a brutal attack that claimed the lives of over 72 innocent residents in Benue State, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has made a passionate appeal to Nigerians to rally behind the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the government inherited a deeply fractured nation plagued by insecurity.
Ribadu, who visited the state on Tuesday to condole with the government and people of Benue, was visibly shaken by the scale of the violence, describing the tragedy as another grim chapter in a region long-scarred by communal conflicts and unchecked bloodshed. His visit followed fresh attacks in Afia, Ukum Local Government Area, where 11 people were killed in a dawn raid allegedly carried out by armed herders.
Addressing journalists shortly after his meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia and other stakeholders, Ribadu acknowledged the pain and frustrations of the people but urged against the politicization of the killings. “We inherited a government that was overwhelmed by security challenges. The level of violence and lawlessness we met was unprecedented. But things are improving. It will take time, effort, and collective support to restore the kind of peace we all desire,” he said.
He continued, “Our Armed Forces are doing their best under very difficult circumstances. It’s not possible to deploy soldiers or police in every village. But we’re making progress. What we need now is trust, patience, and unity. We must not allow political interests to overshadow the need for healing and justice.”
The NSA, whose career has been marked by high-profile anti-corruption and security assignments, emphasized that national security is a collective responsibility and called on community leaders, religious figures, and citizens to work together with the government to defeat the forces of terror and disintegration.
Governor Alia, in his remarks, described the visit as timely and encouraging, noting that Benue has been under siege for over a decade. “This is a dark period for us. Since 2011, our people have suffered repeated attacks—entire communities displaced, farmlands destroyed, lives shattered. The latest killings are not isolated events. They are part of a long, painful pattern,” the governor lamented.
He called on the Federal Government to deploy more resources and personnel to secure Benue’s borders and forests, which have become hiding grounds for criminal elements.
The tragedy in Benue has reignited calls for a comprehensive national strategy to address farmer-herder clashes, banditry, and insurgency, especially in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the long road ahead for a government working to rebuild trust, restore law and order, and deliver on its promise of a safer and stronger nation.
As security forces intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of the Benue massacre, the NSA’s visit has drawn attention to the urgent need for unity, non-partisan collaboration, and sustained federal intervention in restoring peace to one of Nigeria’s most troubled states.