CurrentReport Blog Comrade Daniel Onjeh, the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Benue South in previous elections, has urged the people of Benue State, particularly the Idoma ethnic group, to unite in the face of increasing insecurity. In a powerful statement issued on Sunday, Onjeh expressed deep concerns about the rise in violent crimes such as kidnappings and targeted killings in Benue communities.
Onjeh described the attacks as organized operations carried out by criminal herdsmen in collaboration with local informants. He pointed to the testimony of a recent kidnap victim who reported the involvement of both Fulani herdsmen and Idoma youths in the abductions, illustrating a troubling internal betrayal. Onjeh also referred to the recent killing of retired Immigration Comptroller Akatu Onche in Otukpo, suggesting that local collaborators may have been behind the murder, targeting the respected elder for his stance on security issues.
“The presence of informants and local accomplices has emboldened these criminals,” Onjeh warned, urging Benue citizens to expose these threats to ensure that the violence does not continue. He emphasized the importance of unity in addressing these challenges and called on residents to support the efforts of Governor Hyacinth Alia in tackling insecurity.
Onjeh praised the Governor’s ongoing efforts in partnership with federal security agencies to dismantle criminal networks and stressed the need for vigilance, community watch systems, and reporting suspicious activity. He urged Benue residents not to let political divisiveness hinder meaningful solutions to the insecurity crisis.
He also cautioned against using the security situation for political gain, asserting that the problem of insecurity in Benue is not new and has persisted across previous administrations, including those of former Presidents Jonathan and Buhari. Onjeh encouraged residents to support Governor Alia’s long-term strategies aimed at restoring peace and development to the state.
“The Alia administration is working tirelessly to address this crisis. Let us not sabotage these efforts through misinformation and internal division,” Onjeh concluded.
