Governor donates N380m to families of sla!n security personnel
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has donated N380 million to support the families of 76 slain security men who lost their lives fighting insecurity in the state between 2024 and 2025.
The affected security men were personnel from the Police, military, Civil Defence, and the state-owned security outfit known as Community Volunteer Guards.
A total sum of N5 million was donated to each family of the victims.
Presenting the symbolic cheques to beneficiaries, Governor Alia said the support was for the selfless sacrifice made by the deceased security personnel who paid the supreme price to maintain peace in the state.
He appreciated the Inspector General of Police for his desire to ensure that peace returns to the state, as well as the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, and Commander of the Civil Defence for their commitment towards peace and stability.
The governor further acknowledged the zeal demonstrated by President Tinubu to ensure that peace is restored to the state.
He said, “We appreciate the sacrifice made by these fallen heroes to defend the territory of the State and ensure that the citizenry live 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 which means the child did not know the 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 scholarship.
“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.
“I appreciate the first lady and the IOM for their humugous support and assure the 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 in ensuring that they return to their ancestral homes.
“For each of the families we begin with the sum of 5 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, and work with them. Give human kindness and face to them.
“Government will continue to synergise with security agencies in the State to ensure peace. Security agencies are not enemies of the State. They sacrifice a lot especially their comfort to give us comfort. There may be lapses but let’s talk through them. Let’s not ask them to leave”, Alia said.
Governor Alia further announced the award of scholarships to children of the deceased personnel and promised to assist their spouses to start businesses, in addition to the N5m already given to each family.
Earlier, the Director General of Homeland Security, Col. Jacob Gbawuan, disclosed that over 76 security personnel lost their lives between 2024 and 2025.
Gbawuan said the affected personnel sacrificed their lives as heroes to ensure sanity and as such could not be left behind.
On his part, the State Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, described the gesture as “spectacular” and “unprecedented”, noting that it would bring succour to the families and serve as motivation to all security agencies in the state.
Emenari said the governor has continued to be in the frontline in the battle against insecurity through consistent funding, stressing, “it is not over, until it is over until our desire for the State is achieved.”
He assured that security agents will further double their efforts and ensure that criminals and hoodlums do not operate in the state.
The CP thanked President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for his support of the welfare and development of all security formations and commended the Inspector General of Police, IGP Egbetokun, for his support and doggedness.
Benue, regarded as Nigeria’s “food basket”, has grappled with violent attacks linked to farmer-herder clashes, banditry, and communal disputes for over a decade.
Thousands of people have been killed, while hundreds of thousands remain displaced across camps in the state, with security operatives bearing the brunt of the violence in recent years.
