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A prominent community voice in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State has highlighted the dire state of local roads as a major obstacle to effective security operations and community safety.
In a strongly worded social media post, D’nkaded Elder Sughnen Yaaya described the deplorable condition of roads in Kwande as a significant hindrance to curbing persistent insecurity challenges in the area. He pointed out that even when security personnel are deployed with operational vehicles and trucks, the lack of motorable roads severely limits their ability to respond swiftly to incidents.
The elder recounted how residents attempting to travel by car are often forced to spend hours improvising temporary crossings, constructing emergency bridges from logs and other materials just to navigate impassable sections. In stark contrast, he alleged that armed Fulani herdsmen exploit the terrain’s inaccessibility by using high-speed motorcycles—commonly referred to as “sound bikes”—to move quickly into communities, carry out attacks, kill, destroy property, and retreat before help can arrive.
The post directly called attention to the Benue State Government, tagging Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, alongside other officials including Hon. Terseer Ugbur and the Kwande Local Government Chairman, Hon. Vitalis Terhile Neji. The message urged greater urgency in addressing the infrastructure deficit, which locals say continues to enable criminal elements to operate with relative ease.
Elder Yaaya also took aim at the Turan/Ikurav-ya constituency representative in the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Mato, accusing the lawmaker of having delivered “not a single project” to the area. He suggested that the assembly member should consider returning home to “rest,” implying a perceived failure to advocate effectively for constituency development, particularly road rehabilitation.
The complaint reflects broader frustrations in many rural parts of Benue, where dilapidated or non-existent rural roads not only hamper daily economic activities but also undermine security efforts. Poor accessibility delays response times for security agencies, prolongs suffering for victims of attacks, and allows perpetrators to exploit mobility advantages.
As insecurity remains a pressing concern across Kwande and other southern senatorial districts, calls for urgent road repairs and infrastructure investment continue to grow louder among residents who see improved connectivity as a critical step toward restoring peace and normalcy in the region.
