Benue River Banks and the Challenge of Insecurity

In the not too distant past of the Benue River — silent, brooding, and beautiful — there echoes the pulse of a people so blessed as the best freshwater capital of Nigeria’s inland waterways. The banks of this great river, once a cradle of culture and commerce, have in recent times drawn deep sighs from bruises of anguish and suspicion, not for want of beauty, but for the insecurity that shadows its course like a lingering ghost.

Indeed, there is a poetic truth in the assertion that in every group there lies a deviant strain — an inevitable deviation from the moral arc of the collective. These deviants, if left unchecked, metastasize into saboteurs — carving from the sacred body of community their own selfish fiefdoms of chaos. In a society worth its salt, such saboteurs, who compromise the communal fabric, have often faced swift and resolute justice.

Yet, while it is valid to raise concern about the creeping threat that lurks upon the riverbanks, in arms trafficking, unregulated settlements, informants of the underworld, and the growing opacity around the identities and activities of riverine dwellers; it is equally important to balance this apprehension with sober appreciation of the sweeping, strategic actions already being undertaken by the Benue State Government under the visionary and dynamic leadership of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia.

Lest, it is forgotten in a hurry that, for decades, the question of security along the Benue River and its tributaries had remained a rhetorical echo; raised in local gossip, muted in policy circles, and abandoned on the drawing tables of administrations past. But with the emergence of the Alia-led government, this ghost is currently underway of being confronted head-on.

For the first time in the history of Benue State, in a decisive demonstration of leadership courage by Governor Alia, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, visited Makurdi in a landmark strategic tour made possible through the audacious diplomatic engagements of the Governor. The purpose was not ceremonial; it was surgical. This was followed swiftly by the groundbreaking establishment of a Naval Base and a Navy Marine Command outpost in Benue State. These installations are not mere symbolic gestures; they represent an unprecedented pivot to secure our inland waterways, monitor riverine movements, and flush out criminal enterprises operating under the veil of darkness along the banks.

Furthermore, under the Alia administration, the reinvigoration of the Benue State Community Protection Guards, and the mobilization of coordinated vigilante efforts have extended to critical flashpoints like Agatu, North Bank, Abinsi, Gbajimba, Buruku, New Garage and Katsina-Ala. Modern surveillance and digital mapping technologies are also being implemented for the profiling of riverbank households and boat operators, ensuring that no shadow remains without scrutiny.

In the Governor’s holistic vision of “Alianomics,” security is not a standalone pillar, but interwoven with development, social renewal, and administrative accountability. In partnership with federal agencies, there is a growing synergy to harmonize traditional, religious, and local leadership into a united front, not just for intelligence gathering but also for moral rearmament of our society.

Yes, the call to action is noble, but let it not descend into despair or unwarranted indictment of our collective progress. Where shadows loom, light must be acknowledged, and where efforts are in motion, encouragement is due. What we must do, as informed patriots, is amplify these gains, support the structures, report with accuracy, and refuse to glorify fear where hope is germinating.

Makurdi’s river island, once the pride of our youth’s recreation and cultural life, is not lost; it is being reclaimed. The reclamation, however, must happen not only in policy and enforcement but in the conscious re-awakening of our civic dignity and communal will. Let the people become the first line of defense, standing shoulder to shoulder with government efforts, not as accusers, but as co-builders.

We stand at a historic cusp: where the Benue River may no longer be whispered about as a corridor of insecurity, but proudly reclaimed as a lifeline of security, commerce, recreation, and culture — a new testament of possibility under a leadership that listens, acts, and leads with divine courage.

Let history record it today that the Alia administration has not only heard the cries from the riverbanks; His Excellency has responded, decisively, and history shall testify that Benue rose again because her leadership dared where past leadership floundered, and the good people of Benue State dared to believe.

Prof. Qrisstuberg Amua is a Pastor and a firm believer in the visionary and focused leadership of His Excellency Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia’s AliaNomICs blueprint, agenda and governance of Benue State.