By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja
Prominent Benue political figure, Chief Bemgba Iortyom, has pushed back against the inclusion of Benue State in the newly unveiled Northern regional security arrangement, cautioning that the framework could drain the state’s limited resources without adequately responding to its peculiar security realities.
He argued that the proposal for each of the 19 northern states to remit N1 billion monthly into a Northern Security Trust Fund deserves far more interrogation before any commitment is made.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Iortyom explained that while the initiative seeks to strengthen intelligence gathering, emergency response, logistics, technology and community policing across the region, its benefits may not directly align with the long-running security concerns facing Benue.
“Benue people must carefully assess whether this arrangement aligns with their needs and interests,” he said.
He stressed that Benue urgently needs to reinforce its internal security structures—particularly in rural communities—before taking on a financial obligation of such magnitude at the regional level.
“If even a fraction of the proposed monthly contribution were invested directly into Benue’s local security architecture, many of the objectives of the regional initiative could be achieved right here at home,” he told journalists.
Iortyom pointed to gaps in past efforts, especially around the enforcement of anti-open grazing legislation, support for local security units and the strengthening of frontline communities—all of which, he said, require immediate attention.
“Security must begin from the grassroots because that is where the attacks and disruptions first occur,” he noted.
He also raised concerns about the push for state police within the regional plan, insisting that the idea must be backed by strong systems of oversight and accountability.
“For a state police system to work, it must be rooted in transparency, lawfulness and respect for democratic norms,” he said.
On the call for a temporary halt to mining across the North, Iortyom said Benue must first ensure proper regulation of mining activities within its borders, especially in areas where oversight has been weak.
“It is important to ensure that mining operations within Benue are properly documented, monitored and aligned with national guidelines,” he added.
He urged residents, stakeholders and policymakers in Benue to interrogate the implications of joining the Northern Security Trust Fund, emphasising that the state’s finances should directly serve the protection of its people.
“Benue’s security priorities must not be diluted in any arrangement that does not guarantee clear benefits to the people,” he stated.
Iortyom called for broad consultations to determine whether the regional arrangement reflects the collective interest of the state rather than the preferences of a few key actors.
“Our citizens have endured years of insecurity, and they deserve a system that responds directly to their reality,” he said.
While acknowledging that regional collaboration can be useful, he stressed that it must strengthen—not overshadow—Benue’s internal security mechanisms.
“The goal should be to empower communities, strengthen institutions and ensure that every naira spent truly improves safety across Benue,” he emphasized.
He appealed to both state and federal authorities to focus on tailored, sustained solutions for Benue’s unique security challenges, warning that anything short of that would not deliver the protection the people urgently need.
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