The governor of Benue state, Hyacinth Alia, has warned residents not to resort to self-defence in the face of increasing attacks.
Alia pointed out that untrained individuals confronting armed assailants will only worsen the crisis.
He advocated for community policing as a more strategic and sustainable solution to insecurity.
Speaking on Focus Nigeria, a programme on African Independent Television (AIT), on Tuesday, Alia said: “Let me begin with my concerns. You need to be trained to understand the dynamics of fighting guerrilla warfare. The Constitution permits all of us to defend ourselves, but to what extent?”
He urged residents not to take up arms hastily, warning: “I cautiously advise my citizenry that it is not advisable to simply pick up knives, machetes, and sticks to fight. There are ongoing conversations around community policing; I am one of the governors who projected it.”
The governor dismissed the notion that “desperate situations require desperate answers,” saying such reactions, when driven by emotion and lack of preparation, could lead to greater harm. “You’re unprepared with arms and do not understand the dynamics of confrontations,” he said.
Alia explained that community policing allows for the mobilisation of individuals familiar with the terrain, who can then join local security efforts effectively. “With community policing, it becomes easier to identify those who understand the terrain and can be mobilised to join the ranks of the community police,” he said.
