Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to addressing the ongoing insecurity in Benue State.
Speaking on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi following the killing of over 72 people in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas on Good Friday, Ribadu described the attack as a national tragedy and expressed solidarity with the affected communities.
He emphasised that Benue is not facing these security challenges in isolation, noting that similar issues are affecting various parts of the country.
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“What happened is a tragedy, an act of evil. But when evil comes, good people must unite to confront it. We will solve this problem together. Do not feel alone, this challenge affects us all,” Ribadu said.
Ribadu acknowledged the severity of the crisis and conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s support for the people of Benue during this difficult time.
Highlighting Benue’s strategic importance as a leading food-producing state, Ribadu called for unity in confronting acts of violence and urged residents not to feel abandoned.
“Benue is an extremely important state in Nigeria. As the food basket of the nation, you are number one in food production, and we are proud of you,” he said.
He noted that the federal government, along with security agencies, is working to improve safety despite the difficulty of fully securing all rural areas.
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Ribadu acknowledged the complexity of addressing insecurity, explaining that while acts of violence can happen quickly, finding lasting solutions takes time.
He also pointed to progress made in reducing the levels of violence the current administration inherited, stating that efforts to enhance security across the country are ongoing.
