• Arewa Think Tank kicks

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi,  Noah Ebije, Kaduna

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Sebastine Hon has petitioned President Bola Tinubu to  declare state of emergency in Benue  State .

He stated that his compelling demand for a state of  emergency in the state was due to the escalating insecurity in the state, which culminated in attacks and killing of hundreds of innocent people.

Hon, who highlighted the urgent need for decisive intervention to restore peace and stability in the state,took a swipe on Governor Hyacinth Alia  for dismissing ongoing deadly attacks as mere skirmishes and failing to respond appropriately.

The SAaN  lamented the attack on Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo on his way from Makurdi to Naka, the headquarters of Gwer-East LGA on May 24, 2025;the daylight attack on Agan Community in Makurdi on May 29, 2025 and deadly assaults on Naka and Edikwu-Ankpali communities on June 1, 2025, with numerous fatalities, saying that  there was no official condemnation or action from the state government.

Hon expressed outrage over his dismissive social media responses describing them as unhelpful and negligent of the suffering of victims.

He, however, regretted that the efforts are yet to yield tangible results, as recent attacks continue unabated.

Hon’s petition further stated that the military in the state appears to be siding with the perpetrators of violence, citing that Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongo was  near a military checkpoint along Makurdi-Naka road, where soldiers allegedly failed to intervene.

“Only on May 31, 2025, Catholic Priests directly accused the military of complicity and further informed the whole world how the Church has lost priests and laity and has closed over 15 parishes in Benue state.”

He noted that in other parts of Nigeria, the military has deployed drones and fighter jets to combat insecurity, actions he said are copiously absent in Benue state.

He urged President Tinubu to borrow a leaf from the US government saying, “The Nigerian Constitution is modelled after the USA Constitution. Both countries are operating federal Constitutions and the presidential system of government.

“Examples of declarations of state of emergency by successive US presidents may be of assistance here. Kindly note that, as at the end of April, 2025, 90 emergencies had been declared in US history, out of which 41 have expired.

“The sovereignty of Nigeria is under very serious risk. No situation is more fitting to declare a military state of emergency in Benue state. The time for you to act is now, Sir.”

He urged  President  Tinubu to order a removal and replacement of all the military commanders in Benue state and if possible, even the ground troops should also be replaced. According to him, “The way and manner they are operating in the state is clearly unsatisfactory.”

Meanwhile,  a group ,Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has tackled the senior legal practitioner for calling  for the declaration of state of emergency in the state.

However, a statement by the Convener of ATT, Muhammad  Yakubu explained that Hon’s

call for  a state of emergency was too hasty and sentimental; coming at a time the state governor, Hyacinth Alia and President Bola Tinubu are collaborating to restore enduring peace in the state.

“Inasmuch as we feel the pains of the government and people of Benue state over this constant killings of citizens in the state, we will not like to buy into the idea of calling for the state of emergency in the state.

‎‎”We will rather call for security beef up against these invaders from attacking hapless citizens of the state because the state of emergency is retrogressive under Democratic setting.

‎‎”We are happy that the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia is on top of the situation, while security operatives are working round the clock to wipe out these murderers.

“However, we wish to advise that there should be immediate withdrawal of all security operatives in Benue and replace them with new ones as a way of checkmating their excesses in favour one party against the other.

“We believe that the situation has come under control, and the situation is not deteriorating as some people are trying to paint to the whole world. But to us, anyone justifying alleged unwillingness of governor Alia to address the matter is embarrassing.

“We also wish to kick against several online allegations of the complicity of the military in the attacks, because accusing the military of complicity will not solve any problem, but it is good to cooperate with them to keep the situation under control.

“The good news is that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has moved to Makurdi, the capital of Benue state, in response to the ongoing killings of innocent villagers by herders and militia groups.

“The COAS, who was accompanied by top officials from Army Headquarters, arrived from Abuja on Tuesday to assess the deteriorating security situation in the state.

“This in no doubt is a very good development as his visit was  in response to the wave of violent attacks by suspected herdsmen and armed militias, which have left scores dead, several injured or maimed, and countless homes and farmlands destroyed, especially the attack that occurred  about two days ago.”