Middle Belt to Ribadu: Downplaying attacks in Benue, others outrageous
The Middle Belt Forum(MBF) has expressed concern over statement credited to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu for downplaying the attacks in Benue State and other parts of the country.
A statement issued by its National spokesman, Luka Binniyat noted that more worrisome is the fact that the NSA denied any territorial control by armed militia groups in Nigeria, a development that has contradicted well-documented realities.
According to MBF, “The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) is deeply concerned by the comments made by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, during his recent condolence visit to Benue State Governor, Father Hyacinth Alia, following the horrific attacks by armed men identified as Fulani herdsmen. These attacks have left scores dead, entire communities displaced, and thousands fleeing in desperation, joining the ranks of hundreds of thousands already living as internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their own homeland.”
“This denial flies in the face of evidence. In Benue State alone, where Ribadu made these claims, many communities remain under the occupation of armed Fulani militants who violently displaced the original inhabitants. Similar situations persist across parts of Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara states,” The statement said.
The forum said it is therefore alarmed and puzzled by the NSA’s statements, asking, “who is briefing him? On what basis is he dismissing credible reports of occupation and atrocities?”
“His remarks are not only inaccurate, they are callous, especially when so many IDPs live in subhuman conditions—stripped of their dignity, homes, and livelihoods. To suggest no one occupies their lands is to deny them justice and hope of return to their homes and restitution paid in the future,” the statement further explained.
He called attention to the ongoing “North Central Workshop on Developing a National Framework on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration” currently being organised in Makurdi under the NSA’s office, saying that while such frameworks are vital, there is a glaring omission and the MBF has its position on it.
Meanwhile, last year, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State granted amnesty to so-called “repentant” terrorists in Birnin Gwari, he stated that it was an outcome of robust collaboration with the NSA’s office and pledged to rehabilitate them, for dropping their arms. These are men who have committed mass killings, arson, and kidnappings.
“Yet, not a word was said about their countless victims—families shattered, communities ruined, and lives reduced to misery”, he lamented.
“We suspect that the ongoing workshop may align with the Kaduna model, which had no consideration to the victims and has no space for justice.”
The forum asked whether the proposed disarmament workshop also target communities who, in desperation, have armed themselves with rudimentary weapons to defend against terrorist onslaughts? saying that would it not contradict the February 2025 call by the Director General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, urging communities to act as first responders in self-defense?
The forum then advised the government not to allow murderers and destroyers of communities to simply surrender weapons and walk away free, but justice must be served.
Binniyat suggested that communities under siege should be supported not disarmed, stressing that the government should help them legally procure light weapons, train youth volunteers, and place them under the supervision of vetted military or security personnel, serving or retired.
The MBF reiterated its call for the establishment of State Police, as well as Local Government and Ward Police structures, saying that security must be localised to be effective.
It also advised that amnesty and reintegration programs must follow legal processes and legislative backing, saying that the Federal and State Governments must not unilaterally pardon terrorists without public accountability.
He said that the time has come for serious, responsible, and empathetic governance that truly reflects the pain and suffering of affected communities, advising that the NSA must offer leadership that reassures victims not pamper terrorists, as the Hundreds of thousands of “repentant” Boko Haram terrorists granted amnesty has not solved the insurgency in the North East.
