By Tunji Braimoh, Abuja

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has raised concerns over the worsening security situation in Nigeria’s North-Central region, warning that persistent violence and criminal activities pose a serious threat to the nation’s food security and economic stability.
The governor made the remarks on Monday while addressing participants at the North-Central Regional Security Summit held at the New Banquet Hall of the Benue State Government House in Makurdi.
Alia stressed the importance of stronger collaboration among federal and state governments, security agencies, traditional institutions, and local communities to effectively confront insecurity across the region. He noted that sustainable peace could only be achieved through a collective effort that prioritises intelligence sharing, early warning systems, and community participation.
According to him, traditional rulers, border communities, and residents have critical roles to play in providing credible information that can help security agencies prevent attacks and respond swiftly to emerging threats.
“The moment we set aside our differences and unite against the common enemy of insecurity, we would have won a significant part of the battle,” the governor stated.
The summit was organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement as part of ongoing efforts to develop practical solutions to security challenges confronting the region.
Alia disclosed that he had advocated for Benue State to host the summit because of the prolonged security challenges affecting communities along the Benue-Plateau corridor, an area that has witnessed repeated attacks and displacement of residents.
He emphasised that addressing insecurity requires more than military action, urging stakeholders to tackle underlying socio-economic factors such as poverty, unemployment, and youth idleness, which often fuel criminal activities and violent conflicts.
The governor described the North-Central region as a strategic hub for Nigeria’s agricultural production and mineral resources, warning that continued instability would have far-reaching consequences for the country’s economy and food supply chain.
“When the North-Central region is insecure, the impact extends beyond our communities. The entire nation feels the consequences through reduced agricultural output and rising food prices,” he said.
Alia urged participants to ensure that the summit produces actionable recommendations capable of strengthening security architecture across the region, rather than ending as another forum for speeches without measurable outcomes.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for ongoing efforts to improve national security and called on stakeholders to support initiatives aimed at restoring peace and stability in affected communities.
The summit brought together governors, military and security chiefs, traditional rulers, community leaders, and other stakeholders from across the North-Central states to deliberate on practical strategies for tackling banditry, kidnapping, farmer-herder conflicts, violent extremism, and organised crime. Participants expressed optimism that enhanced cooperation among key actors would help address the region’s security challenges and safeguard Nigeria’s food production capacity.