More than 28,000 lives lost to insecurity in Benue
… over 50,000 houses destroyed, five police stations, 33 markets razed
A don at the Federal University in Wukari, Dr. Vincent Gisaor, has revealed that a staggering number of 28,997 people have lost their lives due to insecurity in Benue State.
Additionally, while presenting a paper at the symposium, organised by the Benue State government, in Makurdi, titled: ‘The Socio-Economic Development of Benue State: The Journey Ahead’, the economics professor said that over 54,476 houses and farm produce worth over N21 billion have been destroyed in the state.
Gisaor, who based his findings on data from various sources such as the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Benue State Committee on Conflict Resolution and Peace Building, highlighted the devastating impact of insecurity on the rural economy of Benue State.
He stated that the insecurity incidents in the state have resulted in the deaths of over 28,997 individuals, with some deaths still unreported or ongoing. Additionally, the crisis has led to the destruction of five police stations and 33 markets, further exacerbating poverty and impoverishment among the people of Benue.
He said, “Over 28,997 persons are reported dead in all the recent insecurity incidents in the state. Some deaths have not been officially reported while some deaths are even ongoing up to this moment of presentation.”
According to him, the crisis has resulted in the destruction of five police stations and 33 markets in certain areas of the state. This has led to a suspension of law and order, as well as economic activities related to production, distribution, and exchange. As a result, poverty and impoverishment have increased among the people of Benue.
Gisaor said, “The destruction of lives, homes, crops, farms, domestic trees, seeds and seedlings makes it difficult for the affected people to restart their life-supporting activities.
“Hence the total collapse of farming and other economic activities has raised the prospect of rural unemployment, farming and starvation in the affected communities.
“Farm produce destroyed has been estimated at over N21 billion while over 54,476 houses have been reportedly destroyed excluding thatched houses.”
While expressing concern about the impact of insecurity on the economic growth and development of the state, Gisaor emphasised the need to address this issue directly in order to restore the state’s progress.
