Benue State Governor Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia has announced plans to host a North-Central Security Summit aimed at finding solutions to the worsening security challenges in the geo-political zone.

The governor made this announcement on Wednesday while declaring open the North Central Regional Consultation on the Harmonization of the National Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Framework in Makurdi.

During his address, Governor Alia emphasized that peace could only be achieved through "inclusion, dignity and justice, not through coercion." He highlighted his administration's approach of engaging religious and traditional rulers as moral authorities for peace mediation, while empowering the State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation to preserve institutional memories and ensure continuity in peace processes.

The governor called on the National Security Adviser to adopt the Sankera Model of Peace Initiative, which his administration instituted and is being championed by the Bishop of Katsina Ala Diocese, Most Reverend Isaac Dugu, as a framework for achieving peace in the North Central Region.

"The Federal Government, development partners and other critical stakeholders must support the efforts of this administration to take all IDPs back to their ancestral homes," Alia stated, noting that the IDP camps in seven local government areas of the state constitute "a huge burden on the state government."

The governor expressed gratitude to the Office of the National Security Advisor and National Counterterrorism Center for selecting Benue State to host the workshop, which is expected to enable people of the North Central Zone to build bridges of peace. He urged participants to develop resolutions and solutions that would aid in combating violence and terrorism.

National Security Advisor, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by the Director Prevention and Counter Violent Extremism, Ambassador Mairo Musa, urged all stakeholders at the workshop to engage in open and sincere deliberations to achieve the set goals.

In their separate remarks, the Tor Tiv and Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, Professor James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse, and the Ochi Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Doctor John Elaigwu, emphasized the need for forgiveness while calling for the involvement of traditional and religious leaders in the peace process.

The royal fathers urged the leadership of Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association to identify and address criminal elements within their ranks who are responsible for killings and land seizures, stressing that "any culture that would lead to destruction of lives and property of the people would not be acceptable."

Vice Chairman Middle Belt Council of Elders, Retired Major General Lawrence Onoja, asserted that the land of Benue State belongs to its citizens and that "any attempt to take it by force would be resisted." He described the summit as evidence of President Bola Tinubu's commitment to addressing security challenges in Nigeria.

Dr. Bitrus Pogu, National President of the Middle Belt Forum, called for government at all levels to empower locals to defend themselves, arguing that "until people were empowered to defend their land, insecurity would continue to worsen in the country."

The President General of Miyeti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Baba Usman, represented by Alhaji Adamu Toru, advocated for the modernization of cattle business while acknowledging that criminal elements within their ranks were responsible for killings across the country. He pledged support for the peace initiative.

Earlier, the Secretary to the Benue State Government, Barrister Mrs. Serumun Aber, noted that effective solutions must reflect the experiences, realities, and aspirations of those affected by the situation.