Benue Assembly Member Links Rising Insecurity to Governors’ Withholding of Local Government Funds

Isaac Agbo, representing Ohimini constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, has blamed the escalating insecurity in Nigeria on state governors’ failure to release funds to local governments.

Speaking at a security summit in Makurdi, Agbo argued that the refusal to allocate resources to the grassroots level undermines efforts to tackle insecurity effectively.

Agbo, also the Chairman of the Committee on Rural Development, lamented that “Governors get a lot of money which does not trickle to the LGA. The Governors are the problem.” He urged a frank acknowledgment of the security crisis, calling for the military to take decisive action to protect communities.

Lazarus Mom from Lawyers Alert recommended community policing as a vital tool to address insecurity, citing successful initiatives in Guma and Katsina-Ala LGAs. He emphasized the need for trust and cooperation between police and local communities to improve security outcomes.

Chief Joseph Har, Special Adviser on Internal Security, highlighted the importance of police accountability and educating citizens on coping with insecurity. Terwase Uche, lawmaker for Guma 1, urged the inclusion of traditional rulers in security dialogues and criticized both security agencies and local communities for failing to share critical security information.

Uche also condemned the misuse of security votes, noting the absence of operational vehicles for local government officials despite large allocations. He stated, “Security is not theoretical or propaganda. It is high time we armed ourselves.”

Mrs. Felicia Alugo, representing the Deputy Governor, called on citizens to remain vigilant and support the governor’s security initiatives to ensure peace and development in Benue State.