Senator Seriake Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, has expressed deep sorrow over the recent brutal attacks in Benue and Plateau states, offering his condolences to the governments and citizens affected by the violence.
In a statement released Thursday, Dickson condemned the attacks as “dastardly and callous,” referring to them as heinous acts targeting innocent lives.
He expressed concern over the rising tide of violence across Nigeria, pointing to the worsening security situation in Benue, Plateau, and other states like Zamfara.
The senator highlighted the growing threat of banditry, drawing a parallel between the current crisis and the Boko Haram insurgency that ravaged the North-East in the past.
He warned that Nigeria is now facing a more widespread collapse of law and order, with criminality and lawlessness becoming increasingly pervasive.
Dickson urged Nigeria’s leadership and security agencies to prioritize honest, strategic discussions aimed at halting the country’s deepening security crisis.
He identified several factors driving the violence, including resource competition, illegal mining, climate-related conflicts, and the ongoing herder-farmer clashes.
In his call for long-term solutions, Dickson advocated for a nationwide ban on open grazing and the introduction of mandatory ranching practices.
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The former Bayelsa Governor also emphasized the need for adequate funding and the enforcement of sustainable land-use and agricultural policies to address the root causes of the unrest.
“This is a national imperative,” Dickson said, stressing that collaborative efforts between security agencies and local community leaders are crucial for addressing banditry and promoting peacebuilding efforts.
Dickson also warned that the recurrence of violence across the nation signals a failure of the state’s ability to maintain order and security.
He vowed to bring the matter before relevant authorities in the coming days, hoping to push for a more effective response to the growing insecurity.
As the country grapples with these rising security concerns, Dickson’s statement calls for urgent action to prevent further bloodshed and restore peace to affected regions.