Benue Government Requests Establishment of Terrorist Rehabilitation Camp in the State

The Benue State Government, under Governor Hyacinth Iormemem Alia, has formally requested the establishment of a terrorist rehabilitation and deradicalisation camp within the state.

The request was highlighted in a widely shared social media post by Paul Terhemba Gyenger on Friday, February 21, 2026. The post included a video clip showing a group of former insurgents undergoing rehabilitation training, reportedly from a similar programme elsewhere in the country.

In the caption, Gyenger stated that the state administration has made the official appeal for such a facility to be sited in Benue, with a suggestion that Mbadede (in Logo Local Government Area) would be a suitable location.

The proposal comes amid ongoing security concerns in parts of Benue State, particularly in rural and border communities affected by banditry, herder-farmer clashes, and sporadic attacks linked to armed groups. Proponents argue that a dedicated rehabilitation centre could help reintegrate repentant fighters, reduce recidivism, and support long-term peacebuilding efforts.

No official confirmation or detailed statement has been issued by the Benue State Government or relevant federal security agencies at the time of this report. However, the public discussion reflects growing calls for structured deradicalisation and reintegration programmes as part of broader strategies to address insecurity in the North-Central region.

If approved, the camp would align with existing federal initiatives, such as Operation Safe Corridor, which has rehabilitated and reintegrated hundreds of former Boko Haram and ISWAP fighters in other parts of the country. Observers note that siting such a facility in Benue could raise both opportunities for peace and concerns among local communities about security risks and social integration.