On Thursday, July 10, 2025, citizens of Benue State gathered in Makurdi for a News Central Town Hall to address the escalating security crisis marked by relentless attacks, particularly by Fulani militia, which have claimed thousands of lives and displaced over 2 million people since 2009. The event, attended by traditional rulers, security officials, civil society representatives, survivors, and community leaders, provided a platform for those affected to voice their experiences and demand robust solutions. Participants highlighted the devastating toll of the violence, with over 1,000 deaths in the past two years alone, and condemned the slow pace of justice and persistent insecurity. Ms. Ier Jonathan-Ichaver, a prominent activist, described the attacks as “genocidal” and indicative of ethnic cleansing targeting farming communities, fueling mass displacement and destruction of homes.
Chief Dr. Amos Gizo, Executive Chairman of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority and Council Member of the Federal University of Lafia, attributed the conflict to climate change and assured attendees of federal government efforts to find solutions. However, frustration dominated discussions, with calls for stronger security measures, accountability, and coordinated humanitarian relief to support thousands living in dire conditions. The Town Hall underscored the need for long-term strategies to tackle root causes like land disputes and ethnic tensions. Mr. Kayode Akintemi, Managing Director of News Central, reaffirmed the station’s commitment to truth and solutions-oriented journalism, amplifying the voices of survivors and leaders who closed the event with a unified plea for peace, justice, and reconciliation in Benue State.
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