Benue: Insecurity threatening development gains in Ogbadibo – Onoja
Ogbadibo Security Expert Warns of Development Risks Amid Ongoing Insecurity
OGBADIBO, Benue State – Security expert Comrade Jonathan Onoja cautioned that persistent insecurity poses a significant threat to the development strides made in Ogbadibo Local Government Area over the past 35 years. He delivered his remarks during the 35th anniversary celebration of the local government area on August 27, 2021.
In his address, titled “Ogbadibo at 35: Security, Governance, and the Road to Sustainable Development,” Onoja emphasized the need for an enhanced security framework, advocating for the establishment of a Mobile Police Base in Otukpa to improve safety in the region.
Ogbadibo, which was carved out from the former Okpokwu Local Government Area, has seen noteworthy advancements in education, agriculture, commerce, and human capital development. Key areas such as Otukpa, Owukpa, and Orokam have emerged as vital centers for economic and social activities.
Despite these developments, Onoja warned that the security challenges could undermine progress if not promptly addressed. “No meaningful development can be sustained in an atmosphere of insecurity,” he stated.
Among the security challenges highlighted by Onoja were farmer-herder conflicts, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, and communal disputes, which he noted have plagued the area from 2021 to 2026. He pointed out that incidents of kidnapping and armed robbery along major roads, including Otukpa-Otukpo and Orokam-Ubolo, have instilled fear among residents, raised transportation costs, and disrupted commercial activities.
Insecurity has reportedly contributed to a decline in agricultural production, as many farmers have abandoned their fields out of safety concerns. The impact extends to education and commerce, with parents in remote areas hesitant to send their children to school and traders reluctant to travel after dark.
Onoja acknowledged the efforts of security agencies, the state government, local authorities, traditional institutions, and vigilante groups in combating insecurity; however, he noted significant gaps in intelligence sharing, funding, and operational coordination.
To address these issues, he proposed a five-point security action plan for Ogbadibo, covering the years 2026 to 2061. Key recommendations included the establishment of a Mobile Police Base in Otukpa, deployment of security technologies such as Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV), and the formation of joint border patrols with neighboring states, including Enugu, Kogi, and Ebonyi.
Onoja also suggested the creation of an Ogbadibo Security Situation Room, quarterly town hall meetings focused on security, and a youth employment program targeting 2,000 beneficiaries each year. He emphasized the need for enhanced support for vigilante groups operating within the community policing framework and swift prosecutions for those arrested on security-related charges.
Highlighting Ogbadibo’s strategic position along the Enugu-Makurdi federal highway, Onoja underscored the importance of security for both residents and travelers, as well as for maintaining commercial activities in the region.
As Ogbadibo marks its 35th anniversary, Onoja urged citizens to take responsibility for peace and security. “Peace is not the sole responsibility of government or security agencies; it is the business of every citizen,” he said.
