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A prominent community voice in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State has publicly commended Hon. Vitalis Terhile Neji, the Council Chairman, for his prompt and hands-on response to a recent attack reportedly carried out by suspected Fulani terrorists in the Anwase community.
In a detailed Facebook post, D’nkaded Elder Sughnen Yaaya expressed deep appreciation for the chairman’s decisive actions during the incident. According to the post, Hon. Neji arrived swiftly with heavy security presence shortly after the attack began, helping to de-escalate tension and restore calm in the affected area. The elder described the quick intervention as commendable, noting that the mere speed of response was sufficient to earn widespread gratitude.
Beyond the initial security deployment, the chairman reportedly stayed overnight in the community, personally visiting affected families and local markets to assess casualties and gauge the extent of the damage firsthand. The post highlighted this gesture as the hallmark of true leadership, emphasizing that such direct engagement sets a positive example for governance at the grassroots level.
While showering praise on Hon. Neji, the community elder also offered constructive suggestions aimed at strengthening security and governance in Kwande. Among the recommendations were:
– Setting aside partisan politics to unite and protect the local government area, working collaboratively with youths across party lines.
– Establishing a permanent, stationed security presence to prevent delays in future responses and prioritizing the welfare, motivation, and strengthening of security personnel.
– Constructing a guest house in Kwande to enable the chairman to spend more time residing among the people, fostering closer interaction and better understanding of community needs instead of prolonged stays in Makurdi.
– Mobilizing local youths for basic insecurity first-aid training to serve as an immediate response layer before conventional security forces arrive.
The post concluded on a unifying note, with the writer stressing a shared youthful spirit, the absence of personal animosity, and a collective commitment to building a safer and more prosperous Kwande and Benue State.
The commendation and candid feedback come against the backdrop of persistent insecurity in parts of Benue, where farming communities frequently face attacks that disrupt livelihoods and displace residents. Public appreciation for leaders who demonstrate tangible presence and responsiveness during crises underscores the growing demand for accountable, people-centered governance at the local level.
As conversations around security and leadership continue in Kwande, Hon. Vitalis Terhile Neji’s actions have been spotlighted as a model worth emulating, even as community members call for longer-term structural improvements to safeguard lives and property.
