The Middle Belt Forum (MBF) is deeply concerned by the comments made by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, during his recent condolence visit to Benue State Governor, Father Hyacinth Alia, following the horrific attacks by armed men identified as Fulani herdsmen.
These attacks have left scores dead, entire communities displaced, and thousands fleeing in desperation, joining the ranks of hundreds of thousands already living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their own homeland.
What should have been a solemn, compassionate visit turned into a controversial development. While condemning the violence, the NSA downplayed the crisis by suggesting it was part of a global trend, citing examples like Sudan and Mauritania. Even more disturbing, he denied any territorial control by armed groups in Nigeria, contradicting well-documented realities.
This denial flies in the face of evidence. In Benue State alone, where Ribadu made these claims, many communities remain under the occupation of armed Fulani militants who violently displaced the original inhabitants. Similar situations persist across parts of Southern Kaduna, Plateau, Niger, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara states. Even Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno has publicly admitted that Boko Haram has regained control of areas they were once expelled from.
The MBF is therefore alarmed and puzzled by the NSA’s statements. Who is briefing him? On what basis is he dismissing credible reports of occupation and atrocities? His remarks are not only inaccurate, they are callous, especially when so many IDPs live in subhuman conditions—stripped of their dignity, homes and livelihoods. To suggest that no one occupies their lands is to deny them justice and hope of return to their homes and restitution paid in the future.
Further raising concerns is the ongoing “*North Central Workshop on Developing a National Framework on Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration”* currently being organised in Makurdi under the NSA’s office. While such frameworks are vital, there is a glaring omission and the MBF has its position on it.
Meanwhile, last year, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State granted amnesty to so-called “repentant” terrorists in Birnin Gwari. He said that it was an outcome of robust collaboration with the NSA’s office. He pledged to rehabilitate them, for dropping their arms. These are men who have committed mass killings, arson and kidnappings. Yet, not a word was said about their countless victims—families shattered, communities ruined, and lives reduced to misery.
We suspect that the ongoing workshop may align with the Kaduna model, which had no consideration to the victims and has no space for justice.
We must ask: will the proposed disarmament workshop also target communities who, in desperation, have armed themselves with rudimentary weapons to defend against terrorist onslaughts? Would this not contradict the February 2025 call by the Director General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, urging communities to act as first responders in self-defence?
*Our Position:
*No Blanket Amnesty for Terrorists: The government must not allow murderers and destroyers of communities to simply surrender weapons and walk away free. Justice must be served.
*Right to Self-Defence: Communities under siege should be supported—not disarmed. The government should help them legally procure light weapons, train youth volunteers, and place them under the supervision of vetted military or security personnel, serving or retired.
*State and Local Policing: The MBF reiterates its call for the establishment of State Police, as well as Local Government and Ward Police structures. Security must be localised to be effective.
*No Unilateral Forgiveness of Criminals: Amnesty and reintegration programmes must follow legal processes and legislative backing. The Federal and State Governments must not unilaterally pardon terrorists without public accountability.
The time has come for serious, responsible and empathetic governance that truly reflects the pain and suffering of affected communities. The NSA must offer leadership that reassures victims, not pamper terrorists. The Hundreds of thousands of “repentant” Boko Haram terrorists granted amnesty has not solved the insurgency in the North East.
Signed:
Luka Binniyat
National Spokesman,
Middle Belt Forum
