The recent award of three petroleum exploration licences covering parts of Otukpo, Apa and Okpokwu Local Government Areas has reopened an old debate in Benue South. Many residents are now questioning whether the region’s long-known oil potential may have played a role in years of persistent insecurity, IDOMA VOICE reports.
Across the three local government areas and neighbouring communities, the announcement has generated excitement. At the same time, it has revived difficult questions about the wave of violent attacks that have plagued parts of the region in recent years. Communities such as Ugbobi in Apa, parts of Otukpo, Ohimini and surrounding settlements have witnessed repeated attacks by armed men, leaving scores dead, many displaced and livelihoods destroyed.
In most cases, the attackers never publicly stated their motives, leaving residents to speculate over the reasons behind the violence. Now, following confirmation that petroleum exploration will commence in parts of Benue South, some residents believe the attacks may not have been entirely unconnected with the area’s hydrocarbon potential.
“For years we kept hearing that there was oil beneath our land. Now exploration licences have been awarded. It makes many of us wonder whether there were interests we never knew about,” said Chief Adole, a community leader in Apa.
The development has left many in Benue South weighing the promise of economic opportunity against the lingering scars of insecurity and the unanswered questions that continue to hang over the land.
