Title: Mitigating Insecurity In Benue State Through Effective And Ingenious Leadership
Authors: Chief Hon HAR, Joseph Terwase MSc, PFSO, CMC, FIMC, ISPA, PSP (r)
Volume: 9
Issue: 8
Pages: 208-216
Publication Date: 2025/08/28
Abstract:
This advocacy paper examined the persistent insecurity in Benue State, Nigeria, with a focus on the transformative potential of effective and ingenious leadership. Drawing on historical analysis, policy reviews, and leadership assessments, the study found that the region's enduring violence - primarily stemming from farmer-herder conflicts, ethnic tensions, and weak governance structures - has resulted in over 28,000 deaths and widespread socioeconomic destabilisation. The paper evaluated the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia, who assumed office on 29th May, 2023, as emblematic of a shift towards community-centered governance. His administration has undertaken people-focused initiatives including the payment of salary and pension arrears, promotion of inclusive governance, repositioning of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards and proposals for institutional reform such as the Ministry of Livestock. Despite these measures, insecurity remains entrenched, compounded by slow policy execution and limited trust in governmental responses. The paper advocated for a comprehensive security framework grounded in participatory governance, legislative reform, and non-violent community mechanisms such as local vigilante groups and community policing. It further emphasised that the legitimacy of leadership and timely justice delivery are vital to restoring public trust. While recognising the limitations of existing state interventions, the paper concluded that sustainable peace in Benue State demands a collaborative, grassroots-driven leadership strategy that balances innovation with pragmatic conflict resolution. The findings underscore the urgency of political will, institutional coherence, and civic inclusion in breaking cycles of violence and fostering lasting development.