The Federal Government led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring peace and stability in communities affected by persistent attacks in Benue State.
This assurance was given by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the North Central region, Abiodun Essiet, during a visit to communities recently hit by violence in Kwande Local Government Area.
Speaking with residents during the visit, Essiet said the President is fully aware of the security challenges confronting communities in the state and has directed relevant agencies to intensify efforts to bring the situation under control. She explained that the Federal Government is working on strengthening security responses and improving coordination among security agencies to ensure that affected communities are better protected.
Essiet disclosed that before travelling to the area, she had met with officials of the Department of State Services and the commander of Operation Whirl Stroke to discuss complaints raised by residents, particularly concerns about slow responses to attacks and declining trust in security forces.
According to her, the security authorities provided explanations regarding operational challenges and assured her that efforts are ongoing to address the issues raised by the communities.
She stressed that the Nigerian military remains professional and impartial in its operations. Essiet noted that as Commander-in-Chief, President Tinubu maintains full oversight of all security operations and has directed that the protection of lives and property must remain the top priority.
She appealed to residents to remain patient as new security measures are implemented, assuring them that the military would not support or arm any group and would continue to operate with neutrality while safeguarding the affected communities.
The presidential aide further explained that the purpose of her visit was to gather firsthand information from residents and ensure that their concerns are accurately reported back to the President. She expressed confidence that the feedback gathered would help shape stronger government interventions and improve the performance of security agencies operating in the region.
Beyond security, Essiet also addressed issues related to the management of natural resources within the area. She said the concerns raised by residents about mining activities and community benefits would be forwarded to the appropriate federal authorities to encourage better cooperation between the Federal Government and the state government.
She emphasized that legal mining operations and corporate social responsibility programmes should bring meaningful development to host communities through investments in education, infrastructure, and other social services.
Essiet added that her office was created as part of a broader strategy by the Tinubu administration to strengthen dialogue between government and communities across the North Central region. According to her, the Community Engagement Office is designed to ensure that the voices of grassroots communities are heard and reflected in government decision-making.
She encouraged residents to maintain open communication with government officials and community representatives, noting that constructive dialogue would enable authorities to respond more effectively to their needs.
Meanwhile, the President of the Turan Development Association, Abaa Bichi, expressed concern about the pattern of attacks on communities in the area. He claimed that the assaults appear coordinated and systematic, alleging that attackers often use routes along the border between Benue State and Taraba State to carry out their operations before retreating.
Bichi urged the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify border surveillance and deploy additional security resources to prevent further attacks and ensure lasting peace in the affected communities.
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