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On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, led heads of military and security formations in the state to lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at IBB Square, Makurdi. The solemn ceremony marked the climax of activities for the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day.
Held under the theme of valor, sacrifice, and unity, the event honoured fallen heroes who paid the ultimate price in defence of Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Governor Alia described the venue as “sacred ground” and emphasized that the occasion transcended mere ceremonial ritual, serving instead as a profound collective statement of remembrance.
“We are saying, as a people and as a state, that we remember,” the governor declared in his address. “We are saying that the courage, sacrifice, and selflessness of our heroes will never fade into silence.”
He stressed that while the wreath-laying formally closed the 2026 commemoration, the duty of remembrance must endure in the conscience of the people, in public policies, and in everyday choices. Addressing families of the fallen directly, he assured them: “Your pain is not forgotten. Your loved ones did not die in vain; their names are written into the history of our state and our nation.”
Governor Alia urged the people of Benue to embrace unity, pointing out that the heroes commemorated came from diverse backgrounds, faiths, and communities yet stood together in service to the nation. He called on citizens to reject division, choose dialogue over violence, and prioritize collective interest above narrow considerations.
Speaking to journalists after the event, the governor described the day as a “sobering and unique moment” for both the nation and Benue State. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of serving personnel, veterans, and families of fallen heroes, noting that remembrance must be matched with responsibility and concrete action.
The governor highlighted ongoing support initiatives, including scholarships awarded to children of fallen heroes, empowerment programmes and small business assistance extended to widows and widowers, and plans to tackle medical challenges faced by aged retirees. He disclosed that the Office of the Director General, Homeland Security, Col. Gbamwuan (rtd), has been tasked with coordinating these interventions.
Addressing young people in particular, Governor Alia reminded them that freedom comes at a cost and must be preserved through discipline, service, and love for country. “As we lay this wreath, we bow our heads not in defeat, but in gratitude—for lives well lived, for duty faithfully discharged, and for a legacy that calls us to be better,” he added.
The ceremony featured the inspection of a Guard of Honour by the governor, interdenominational prayers by Christian and Muslim clerics, a twenty-one-gun salute, and the symbolic release of pigeons to represent peace in the state. A free medical outreach for members of the public was also conducted as part of the day’s activities.
Also speaking, Commander James Gbokon, Chairman of the Nigerian Legion, Benue State Chapter, noted that retired soldiers are strategically positioned across communities and can play a vital role in grassroots security if properly engaged and empowered.
Governor Alia attributed the relative calm currently enjoyed in Benue—following previous headlines on insecurity—to divine intervention, support from the federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the resilience and commitment of security agencies operating in the state.
The event, captured in photographs by Lanshima Ephraim, served as both a tribute to the fallen and a renewed pledge to support those who continue to serve and the families they leave behind.
