Gov Alia seeks support for safe return of IDPs in Benue

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has called for collective support in resettling Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the state, emphasizing the need for peace and reconciliation as critical tools in restoring normalcy.

Governor Alia made the appeal on Wednesday during the North-Central Regional Consultation on the Harmonisation of the National Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) Framework, held in Makurdi.

The workshop, themed “Towards Creating Exit Pathways out of Violence and Criminality,” was organized by International Alert in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC).

The governor revealed that Benue currently has 17 IDP camps and that efforts were ongoing to return displaced persons to their ancestral homes.

“As we deliberate, let us all remember that the safest shield is not the wall but trust, and the most reliable armour is not fear, but accountability and courage,” Alia said.

He decried the killings, displacement, and land occupation in several local governments, stressing the need for lasting solutions. “Support me to take all the IDPs back to their ancestral land. Let our farmers return to their farmlands. Let our children have a future,” he urged.

Alia reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and collaborative efforts for development. “We want peace, not guns or land grabbing. Let’s walk this road together with bold ideas and unwavering resolve.”

Speaking on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mairo Abbas, Director of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism, said the workshop was critical in shaping a national framework that promotes unity and sustainable peace.

“This consultation allows us to collectively explore practical exit pathways for affected groups, including women and children,” Abbas stated, noting that the region is grappling with issues like farmer-herder conflicts, communal clashes, banditry, and extremism.

Dr. Paul Nyulaku-Bemshima, Country Director of International Alert Nigeria, emphasized the importance of opening platforms for dialogue. “Even though communities have taken up arms, there is still a place for peace,” he said.

The event brought together experts and key stakeholders to forge a path forward, with a communiqué expected at its conclusion.

Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, Team Lead for the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRING) Programme, noted that the UK Government recognizes Nigeria’s potential as a stabilizing force in Africa and supports initiatives that promote non-kinetic approaches to security.