Engr. Dr. Roseline Ada Chenge (FNSE), former Managing Director of the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority and a former governorship aspirant in Benue State, has spoken out against the rising wave of killings across the state. In a passionate statement, she expressed deep sorrow over the continued bloodshed, calling the situation “heartbreaking and unacceptable.”
She stressed that the violence, often blamed on farmer-herder clashes, has now escalated into full-scale terror attacks carried out by criminal groups, including undocumented foreign elements. “Thousands of women and children have been displaced, while entire communities live in fear,” she said.
Chenge called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to take decisive steps to protect the people. “As both a Reverend Father and the Chief Security Officer of the state, your duty is to defend lives—not silence those who speak out,” she said.
She warned that towns like Naka, located less than an hour from the state capital, have already become unsafe. “If this trend continues, what will be the fate of Makurdi in the next two years?” she asked.
Highlighting the root causes of the violence, she explained that Nigeria’s porous northern borders remain a major vulnerability. “Based on my extensive travels, I can confirm that armed elements continue to exploit our weak border security,” she said.
Border Security and Community Involvement as Key Solutions
Chenge urged federal and state authorities to adopt intelligence-led strategies and invest in modern surveillance technology. “This insurgency is not a conventional war. We must shift from reactive military action to proactive intelligence gathering,” she insisted.
She also called for better coordination among security agencies, including the DSS, Police, Immigration Service, Nigerian Army, Air Force, ONSA, and NASRDA. Furthermore, she praised President Bola Tinubu for deploying the Chief of Army Staff to Benue and welcomed the Forest Guards initiative.
However, she advised that traditional rulers should play a central role in the recruitment process. “These leaders understand their communities. Their input ensures transparency and helps identify individuals with integrity,” she said. According to her, this would build public trust and enable the Army to focus on defending Nigeria’s borders from external threats.
Dr. Chenge demanded justice for over 50,000 victims lost since 2012. “No law-abiding citizen should live in fear. We must hold these criminals accountable and ensure their victims did not die in vain,” she declared.
— Engr. Dr. Roseline Ada Chenge (FNSE)
Former Managing Director, Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority
Former Governorship Aspirant, Benue State
