National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu on Tuesday assured the people of Benue of the federal government’s determination to end insecurity.

Mr Ribadu gave the assurance during a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi following the killing of over 72 persons in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas on Good Friday.

He stated that President Bola Tinubu had emphasised that Benue was not alone in its current security challenges, noting that the entire country was grappling with similar issues.

Describing the killings as a national tragedy, Mr Ribadu said, “It was evil that visited the state.”

He added that the Tinubu administration inherited a deeply troubled nation and was working diligently to repair the damage.

“What happened is a tragedy — an act of evil. But when evil comes, good people must unite to confront it.

“We will solve this problem together. Do not feel alone — this challenge affects us all,” Mr Ribadu said.

The NSA said that even though security agencies were trying to curb the menace, “such incidents persist because it is impossible to deploy personnel to every hamlet.

“Countries go through difficult phases. Insecurity is a tough challenge to overcome.”

“As a government of less than two years, we have already significantly reduced the levels of extreme violence we inherited,” he added.

In his remarks, Governor Hyacinth Alia described the situation as a sober moment for the state, saying Benue had been under siege with immense loss of lives since 2011.

He lamented that killings by terrorists, bandits, and militias had devastated the state’s economy.

The governor said Benue had 17 internally displaced persons camps, and it had been challenging to return people to their ancestral homes due to insecurity.

“Instead of a Good Friday, we experienced a Black Friday, marked by venomous attacks on Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo.

“It is a devastating time for us. We lost 72 lives — it is unbearable. I have maintained regular contact with the NSA,” Mr Alia said.

He said the state needed more support, even though the security agencies had worked “tirelessly” to contain the attacks.

“The president has been very supportive, and we are hopeful that more help is on the way,” the governor added.

(NAN)