The situation in Benue State, Nigeria, remains dire despite numerous pledges from both government officials and security agencies.
The state, known for its agricultural productivity, is now heavily affected by persistent violence from armed groups and bandits. Recent reports highlight that violence has significantly escalated, with over 2,650 deaths in the past year alone and many communities forced into displacement.
The conflict has severely disrupted agricultural activities, with over 50% of farming communities displaced and more than 2.5 million people scattered across Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. Additionally, the violence has led to the destruction or closure of at least 55 schools, contributing to a rise in out-of-school children.
Governor Hyacinth Alia has publicly committed to addressing the insecurity, yet the crisis seems to have overwhelmed his administration, with concerns growing over the effectiveness of the response and the growing number of displaced persons and out-of-school children.