Former Governor of Bayelsa State and serving Senator, Seriake Dickson, has strongly condemned the ongoing bloodshed in Benue and Plateau states, describing the relentless killings as a grim testament to the failure of Nigeria’s political leadership and security apparatus.
In a statement released Thursday, Dickson said the continued slaughter of innocent Nigerians by bandits and armed militias reflects a disturbing pattern of state collapse and governance failure. He argued that what is unfolding in states like Benue, Plateau, and Zamfara is no longer isolated violence, but a symptom of deep-rooted political corruption, negligence, and weak institutional response.
“The impunity with which these attacks are carried out raises questions about who is benefiting from this chaos. There is no justification for the government’s inability to protect its citizens — except complicity or gross incompetence,” Dickson stated.
He compared the rising tide of violence to the early days of the Boko Haram insurgency, warning that if unchecked, it may lead to further destabilization and possibly national disintegration. He accused top security officials and political actors of turning a blind eye to the crisis while enriching themselves with funds meant for national security and rural development.
Highlighting the ongoing clashes between herders and farmers, Dickson identified open grazing as a major trigger of conflict and called for an immediate nationwide ban. “Open grazing is not just an outdated practice; it’s a national security threat,” he declared. “We cannot continue to sacrifice lives at the altar of political expediency and ethnic favoritism.”
Dickson stressed that the crises are often worsened by corrupt local officials who profit from illegal mining, land grabs, and arms trafficking. He urged the federal government to stop politicizing insecurity and instead enforce strict accountability across the board, including in the military and police.
He proposed urgent reforms — including mandatory ranching, sustainable agricultural funding, and an overhaul of the nation’s security architecture. He called on security agencies to stop protecting corrupt politicians and instead focus on defending the people.
“The blood of innocent Nigerians must not continue to flow in vain. This is no longer a local crisis; it is a national emergency,” he said, promising to raise the matter before the National Assembly.
Reference
Dickson Slams FG Over Plateau, Benue Killings, Calls Open Grazing a National Security Threat