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Benue State is grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis as 17 out of its 23 local government areas (LGAs) are under various forms of attack, displacing thousands of residents. Dr. James Iorpuu, Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), raised the alarm during a press briefing in Makurdi on Wednesday, highlighting the escalating insecurity and its devastating impact.
Dr. Iorpuu revealed that only Ogbadibo, Ohimini, Konshisha, Gboko, Ushongo, and one other council area have so far been spared from the wave of violence. The persistent insecurity has rendered hundreds of thousands homeless and financially stranded, prompting an urgent call for government intervention. As the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Iorpuu emphasized the need for immediate action to address the plight of affected citizens.
In a related development, Dr. Iorpuu commended Governor Hyacinth Alia, noting that the recent Conference of State Emergency Management Agencies in Lagos has strengthened the capacity of emergency responders in Benue State. He praised the governor’s leadership, asserting that his performance has surpassed public expectations. Reacting to an independent assessor’s report rating the Alia administration as “average,” the BSEMA boss disagreed, citing the governor’s financial discipline. “For the governor to have not borrowed a single kobo from any financial institution since assuming office is a clear demonstration of discipline, accountability, and purposeful leadership,” Dr. Iorpuu stated.
The Divine Mandate group, the platform that persuaded Governor Alia to contest the 2023 election, remains proud of his achievements and is preparing for the second phase of its campaign to showcase these ahead of the 2027 polls.
Adding to the state’s challenges, Dr. Iorpuu warned that unless the Rivers Benue and Niger are dredged, Nigeria will continue to suffer annual flooding disasters of devastating magnitude. This dual crisis of insecurity and natural disasters underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to safeguard Benue’s residents.
As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are calling for swift government action to restore peace and mitigate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state.
