A former governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, has spoken out about the recent attacks in Benue State. He said the government is not doing enough and the violence should be seen as terrorism, not just clashes between farmers and herders.
President Bola Tinubu recently visited Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, to speak with leaders and discuss the killings. Many people were killed in a brutal attack in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area. The attack shocked Nigerians and led to national anger.
During his visit, President Tinubu met with the governor and top security officials. He gave them orders to take action, but many people feel the visit came too late and lacked the needed force.
Senator Dickson shared his thoughts during an interview with Arise News. He said the situation in Benue, and also in states like Plateau, is a serious attack on innocent people and the nation.
He said the President’s visit was good but late. He also felt that the statements made were not strong enough to match the seriousness of the killings.
Dickson believes this is not a normal conflict. He called it a clear case of criminality that is almost becoming genocide. He said this is not a time for talks about reconciliation, but for firm action.
He criticized the idea of comparing the killings to issues like cattle routes. “You can’t compare killing a cow to slaughtering hundreds of people,” he said.
Dickson also talked about a painful image of a woman in a hospital with her child, whose arm was cut off. The woman looked away from government officials in protest. This, he said, shows how deeply people feel abandoned.
He admitted that security forces are now in Benue and that the governor is trying his best, but he feels the response is not strong or fast enough.
According to him, it’s not about stopping attacks anymore—it’s about what happens next. “Today it’s 200 people killed, tomorrow it might be 300,” he warned.
Finally, Dickson said the government, both present and past, has no clear plan to stop this type of violence. He said the Nigerian system is not ready to deal with such cruel attacks on its citizens.
