Benue Open Governance Society Convener Dismisses Herder-Farmer Narrative, Calls for Broader Security Probe

Samuel Agwa, Convener of the Benue Open Governance Society, has challenged the common portrayal of violence in Benue State as merely a herder-farmer crisis. In a recent interview, Agwa argued that communities are facing repeated deadly attacks involving destruction of homes and loss of lives, with perpetrators often escaping without arrest or consequences.

He emphasized that reducing the violence solely to disputes over grazing overlooks deeper security concerns that require thorough investigation and coordinated responses from authorities. Agwa called for stronger collaboration between communities and security agencies, urging residents to engage in honest discussions about local challenges while supporting intelligence gathering to prevent future attacks.

In his concluding remarks, Agwa stressed that lasting peace demands close partnership between communities, government, and security forces, highlighting the need to confront difficult realities and strengthen local cooperation as essential steps toward addressing persistent insecurity in Benue State.