Benue State Charts a Path to Peace: Strategic Plan for Reconciliation Unveiled

 

Benue State Charts a Path to Peace: Strategic Plan for Reconciliation Unveiled

In a bold and necessary move to address the persistent insecurity plaguing its communities, the Benue State Government has initiated the development of a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at operationalizing its Peace and Reconciliation Commission.

This initiative marks a significant turning point in the state’s efforts to restore stability and foster lasting harmony across its troubled regions.

The Peace and Reconciliation Commission, established two years ago, has struggled to gain traction due to the absence of a guiding framework.

Recognizing this gap, the commission, led by Chairman Nathan and Director General Josephine Haba, has embarked on a three-month consultative process to craft a strategic document that will serve as the lifeblood of its operations.

As Haba aptly put it, “A strategic plan is like the blood that runs through a human being. Without it, the organization is dead.”

The urgency of this initiative is underscored by recent attacks in communities such as Ohimini, where residents have been forced into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. These tragedies have highlighted the need for proactive conflict management and early warning systems.

The commission’s new strategy seeks to empower stakeholders at every level, from local councils to ward communities, to respond swiftly to threats and prevent escalation.

The plan is designed to be inclusive, drawing input from diverse stakeholders across Benue’s three geopolitical zones. It aims to institutionalize early intervention mechanisms, ensuring that intelligence is not only gathered but acted upon in time.

The commission’s director of peace emphasized the importance of understanding the root causes of conflict, noting that attacks often have long gestation periods that go unnoticed until violence erupts.

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Chando, the governor’s special adviser on external security, stressed that the strategic document will complement existing efforts to return IDPs to their ancestral homes. He also refuted claims that recent violence stemmed from the non-implementation of the state’s anti-open grazing law, asserting that the current administration has reinforced the law’s enforcement.

International partners, including organizations from the UK, US, Germany, and Nigeria, are collaborating with the commission through the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC) across Benue’s dioceses. Their involvement signals global support for the state’s peace-building efforts and reflects a shared commitment to ending the economic and social devastation wrought by criminal elements.

As the strategic planning process unfolds, the Benue State Government is calling on its citizens to engage actively, respond to early warnings, and contribute to the collective vision of peace.

The goal is clear: to transform Benue from a flashpoint of conflict into a beacon of reconciliation and resilience. The success of this endeavor will depend not only on the strength of the plan but on the unity and resolve of all stakeholders to see it through.