Tribal leaders in Benue State have praised United States President Donald Trump for initiating military air strikes in Nigeria’s North-West region, targeting terrorist groups operating in the area. The leaders are now urging the expansion of these operations to the North-East and North-Central zones to comprehensively address the security challenges plaguing the nation.
Chief Iorbee Ihagh, Chairman of tribal leaders in Benue State and President General of Mzough U Tiv (MUT) worldwide, expressed appreciation for President Trump’s intervention in Nigeria’s ongoing security crisis. Speaking to journalists in Makurdi, Chief Ihagh confirmed that he had written a letter to the American President commending the decision to launch air strikes against terrorist groups.
According to Chief Ihagh, the military action represents a fulfilment of earlier appeals he had made to the United States government. “So it is a welcome development. All we are urging the American President is that the strikes should be sustained and it should be decisive,” he stated, as reported by Vanguard News.
The tribal leader emphasised the need for the air strikes to extend beyond the North-West region. “We also urge that it should be extended to the North-East and the North-Central or Middle Belt where we have suffered unimaginable attacks and killings by these terrorist groups,” Chief Ihagh said.
Benue State has experienced significant security challenges over recent years, with communities facing repeated attacks from armed groups. Chief Ihagh highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that “Benue State in particular has suffered unimaginable level of killings forcing hundreds of thousands of our people into Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps.”
The displacement crisis in Benue State has created substantial humanitarian challenges. Chief Ihagh disclosed that numerous communities remain occupied by terrorist groups, preventing residents from returning to their ancestral lands. He made a personal appeal based on his own experience, revealing that his home community of Moon in Kwande Local Government Area had been overtaken by terrorists who currently occupy the entire council ward.
“As I speak with you, my home, Moon in Kwande Local Government Area, LGA, was sacked by the terrorists who are currently occupying the entire Council Ward. So I am speaking as a victim and I know and feel the pain with my people,” Chief Ihagh explained.
Beyond military intervention, the tribal leaders are appealing for humanitarian assistance from the United States government. Chief Ihagh called for support that would enable displaced persons to reclaim their lands and rebuild their lives. “We appeal to the American government to take their action a little further by coming in to help and assist our people gain access to their ancestral homes that have been taken over by the terrorists,” he stated.
The tribal leader described the current situation in Benue State as a “huge humanitarian crisis” resulting from sustained attacks by terrorist groups. He expressed hope that the American intervention would provide lasting peace to Nigeria and Benue State specifically, allowing residents to return safely to their farms and communities.
Chief Ihagh confirmed that he had already formally communicated with President Trump to express gratitude for the intervention. “I personally thank American for coming in to do this. I have already written the American President to commended him and we hope and pray that this intervention will finally give us peace in Nigeria and Benue State in particular so that our people can return to their farms in their ancestral land,” he said.
The call from Benue tribal leaders reflects broader concerns about insecurity across multiple regions of Nigeria. Whilst the North-West has faced significant challenges from banditry and kidnapping, the North-East has long been affected by insurgency, and the North-Central region, often referred to as the Middle Belt, has experienced frequent communal clashes and attacks on farming communities.
The tribal leaders’ appeal for comprehensive military action across affected regions underscores the interconnected nature of Nigeria’s security challenges. By calling for sustained and decisive strikes that extend beyond a single geographical zone, the leaders are advocating for a coordinated approach to addressing terrorism and armed violence throughout the country.
The humanitarian dimensions of the security crisis remain substantial, with hundreds of thousands of Nigerians displaced from their homes and communities. The situation in Benue State illustrates the long-term consequences of insecurity, including the loss of agricultural productivity, disruption of social structures, and the ongoing trauma experienced by affected populations.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with complex security challenges, the involvement of international partners in addressing terrorism and armed violence raises questions about sovereignty, effectiveness, and long-term solutions.
