Anambra State-born human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has questioned what he described as the “sobering security paradox” in Benue State, following the recent attack on the Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area, which reportedly left four police officers and seven civilians dead.
Ejiofor, in a statement titled “When Youths Can Stop a Political Convoy but Cannot Stop the Killers: Benue’s Sobering Security Paradox,” expressed concern over what he described as the apparent misdirection of youthful energy in the state.
He referenced the recent incident in which youths reportedly blocked the convoy of Peter Obi and prevented the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) from proceeding to Yelwata, where he had intended to sympathise with victims of a previous massacre.
According to him, the incident raises difficult questions about the ability of young people to mobilise against political figures while communities vulnerable to attacks continue to face inadequate protection.
“Where were all the formidable young men who could erect a roadblock against a presidential candidate when armed assailants were descending upon Ayilamo?” Ejiofor asked.
The human rights lawyer, however, stressed that his position should not be interpreted as opposition to youth activism.
Rather, he argued that the organisational capacity and energy demonstrated by young people could be redirected towards lawful community vigilance, intelligence gathering and support for security operations.
He described Ayilamo as an agrarian community that has reportedly experienced recurring attacks, the destruction of homes and livelihoods, as well as the displacement of residents.
Ejiofor consequently called on Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, to move beyond issuing condemnations after attacks and develop a more effective security strategy for vulnerable communities across the state.
He specifically mentioned Yelwata, Ayilamo, Otukpo Nobi and Ugboju as communities requiring stronger protection.
“The tragedy of Benue is that its farmers do not need political warriors on the highways; they need protectors in the hinterlands,” he stated.
While holding the state government accountable, Ejiofor also said the Federal Government and security agencies must not be absolved of their constitutional responsibilities, stressing that the scale of insecurity in Benue transcends the capacity of any single actor.
He argued that the recurring attacks should prompt a broader question beyond assigning blame: What additional measures can be taken to protect vulnerable communities, and why have existing interventions not been sufficiently effective?
Ejiofor also drew a comparison with recent comments by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike regarding roaming cattle on Abuja roads, which Wike reportedly described as a national security concern.
“If cows walking on Abuja roads can graduate into a national-security matter, what classification should we reserve for armed men invading farming communities, burning houses and killing police officers and civilians?” he asked.
The legal practitioner further advocated the eventual establishment of state police, suggesting that, if properly constituted, trained and professionally supervised, young people could form part of a community-security architecture.
He warned against the use of youths as political instruments and called instead for their energy to be directed towards protecting vulnerable communities.
“Benue does not need youths wielding weapons against fellow Nigerians exercising their lawful rights. Benue needs youths wielding courage against insecurity, intelligence against terrorism and discipline against political thuggery,” he said.
Ejiofor added that the contrast between the disruption of Obi’s movement to Yelwata and the attack on Ayilamo should serve as a wake-up call for both Benue and Nigeria.
“The road to Yelwata may have been blocked. The road to Ayilamo was not. And therein lies the question that Benue, and indeed Nigeria, must urgently answer,” he stated.
##
0 Comments