Killings In Benue: Security Agencies’ Involvement, More Important Than Community Defense, Says Former Commandant Of NSCDC

By Frank Oshanugor

Against the backdrop of Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) General Christopher Musa’s recent statement that communities in Benue State should rise up in self defense, a security consultant, Dr. Nnamdi Naps Okonkwo has canvassed for more involvement of the military and other state security agencies in the protection of lives and property in the troubled communities.

On Tuesday, the CDS was reported by a section of the media as having made the statement during his assessment of the level of destruction of lives and property allegedly by herders at Yelewata community in Benue State.

Speaking exclusively with ATLANTICNEWSONLINE on Wednesday, Okonkwo; a former Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC), noted that a number of factors were likely responsible for the killings which according to him include Farmers-Herders Clashes, Resource Scarcity, Destruction of Farmlands, Cattle Rustling/Theft, Historical Grievances, Weak Governance and Insecurity, Lack of Effective Law Enforcement, Judicial System Failure, Proliferation of Arms,
Political Manipulation and Exploitation of Tensions.

He added that “do or die” mentality, Socio-Economic Factors, Poverty and unemployment, Lack of Opportunities, Breakdown of Traditional Conflict Resolution Mechanisms,
are the other likely reasons responsible for the endless circle of militia attack on innocent citizens in Benue and other parts of the Northern states.

To resolve the recurring conflict, he advocated a multi-faceted and comprehensive approach through
strengthening of the nation’s Security and Justice Systems
through deployment of well-trained and equipped security forces to flashpoints and ensuring rapid response to distress calls, enhancing intelligence capabilities to anticipate and prevent attacks, diligent investigation and prosecution of all perpetrators of violence, regardless of their background, to end impunity and build trust in the justice system.

He also pushed for disarming of illegal armed groups and control of the proliferation of firearms,
promoting dialogue and peace-building, community-led mediation through dialogues and reconciliation processes between warring communities (farmers and herders, different ethnic groups) led by respected community and religious leaders.

Okonkwo believes also that revitalizing and empowering traditional conflict resolution mechanisms where they are still effective, could go a

long way towards halting the incessant attacks. “Activities that foster interaction should also be encouraged towards building inter-ethnic trust among other efforts,” he posited.