President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been urged to act immediately to curb the rising violence in Benue, Plateau, and Ondo states by Iba Gani Adams, the Aare Ona kakanfo of Yoruba land.
During the 2025 Eledumare Festival’s big finale in Lagos, Adams denounced the persistent insecurity brought on by armed herders, which has resulted in numerous murders and kidnappings.
He emphasized that the problem is destabilizing the region and discouraging foreign investment, and the federal government could no longer afford to ignore it.
Adams denounced the attacks ascribed to armed herders, who are thought to be responsible for the mass killings and kidnappings in Plateau, Benue, and Ondo, specifically addressing the growing insecurity and humanitarian crises in the three states.
He warned that the crisis is causing instability and discouraging possible foreign investments, underscoring its far-reaching effects. He said, “We cannot continue to ignore what would be of immense benefit to the rest of the country because of the political benefits of the Federal Government.”
Given the critical roles that Benue, Plateau, and Ondo play in Nigeria’s food production sector, Adams further emphasized the threat that these security issues pose to food security.
“These insecurity issues go a long way to affect food security,” he said. “The crisis also gives a sense of instability and discourages foreign investors.”
The Yoruba leader urged the federal government to take immediate and decisive action, stressing that the time to act is now. “The government at the centre cannot continue to turn a blind eye to these necessary demands. The time to act is now. We must act decisively in the interest of our people,” he concluded.
Naija News reports that recent weeks have seen a rise in attacks across these states. In Benue, Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed that 598 people had been killed in various communities. He made this announcement during a condolence visit by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
In Plateau, over 100 lives have been lost, with extensive property damage in Bokkos and Bassa LGAs. Christian leaders, led by Plateau State CAN Chairman, Rev. Polycarp Lubo, have also protested, decrying the attacks that have claimed more than 100 lives in the last two weeks.
Ondo State has similarly witnessed tragic violence, with gunmen suspected to be herders killing over 20 farmers across four communities in the Akure North Local Government Area.
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