Saturday, September 6, 2025 - At least 76 security personnel have been killed in Benue State over the past year while carrying out their duties, Governor Hyacinth Alia has disclosed.
The governor stated this in Makurdi while receiving families
of the deceased officers drawn from the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil
Defence Corps (NSCDC), the military, the Benue State Civil Protection Guards,
and the joint security outfit, Operation Zenda.
Alia said the state government had approved a cash donation
of ₦5 million to each family, with additional support for personnel who
sustained injuries in the line of duty.
The governor commended the sacrifices of the fallen
officers, stressing that they paid the supreme price to secure peace in the
state.
He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the
Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for what he described as their
sustained efforts toward restoring peace in Benue.
Quoting him, Alia said: “We appreciate the sacrifice made by
these fallen heroes to defend the territory of the state and ensure that the
citizenry lives in peace.
It is a heavy burden but we will continue this journey with
you. Their memories will continue to be a blessing to us and our state. I sat
and saw a mother breastfeeding her baby—that means the child did not know its
father because he paid the supreme price.
We will continue to support their widows and you will be
visited from time to time. We will ensure your children continue their
education through scholarships. We will not leave anyone behind. You will be on
the State protocol list. I assure you that the lives your loved ones sacrificed
would not be in vain because peace must return to the state.”
The governor further acknowledged the support of the First
Lady and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in assisting
displaced persons in the state.
According to him: “I also appreciate the First Lady and the
International Organisation for Migration, IOM, for their humongous support and
I assure the Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, that the committee set up is
working to ensure fairness in the distribution of money given to the IDPs. We
will not rest on our oars until they all return to their ancestral homes.”
On financial support for bereaved families, Alia added:
“Each of the families will receive a cash donation of the sum of N5 million.
For those injured too, we will support them. Let us support these families. Be
kind to them, be charitable to them. Share with them and visit them, work with
them. Give human kindness and face to them.”
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