How to secure Benue, end IDP camps —Lawmaker

…IDP camps have existed for 15 years, a clear leadership failure
…Our population has outgrown our security capacity
…We must establish state police, build local security for communities

By Gift Chapi-Odekina, Abuja

For more than a decade, the North-Central region particularly Benue State has remained one of Nigeria’s worst-hit zones by violent attacks, mass displacement, and deepening humanitarian crises.

Thousands of families have been forced from their ancestral homes into overcrowded internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, where survival often depends on irregular aid and fragile government support.

Despite the absence of a conventional war, the persistence of these camps has raised troubling questions about Nigeria’s security architecture, governance failures, and the long-term strategy for restoring affected communities.

In this interview with Vanguard, Rep Terseer Ugbor,a member of House or Representative, representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State, speaks candidly on what he describes as a “failure of leadership,” the dangers posed to national food security, and why urgent structural reforms including state policing and agricultural revitalisation are critical to ending the cycle of displacement and violence.

One of the biggest questions many Nigerians ask is why internally displaced persons (IDP) camps exist in Nigeria despite the absence of a conventional war.

What does the presence of large IDP camps in Benue and the Middle Belt say about Nigeria’s security architecture?

It is an unfortunate situation that leaders in the Middle Belt have allowed IDP camps to spring up and persist for over 15 years, particularly in Benue State where I come from. Ideally, when people are displaced, government should immediately provide resettlement homes with proper housing and livelihoods to help them reintegrate into society.

Unfortunately, what we see is a culture of keeping people in camps under deplorable conditions, with inconsistent feeding and poor welfare. For me, this reflects a clear failure of government and leadership. We should not have allowed IDP camps to become permanent features.

Do you think Nigeria, both at the federal and state levels, has failed to protect vulnerable rural communities in this region?

Yes, I believe Nigeria has dropped the ball in terms of security. Our population has outgrown the number of security personnel available. We have also failed to develop local security technology and still rely heavily on foreign powers for arms and equipment.

Over the years, we have not kept pace with the growing demand for security. This is a wake-up call for both leaders and citizens to prioritize security over the next 10 to 20 years while also strengthening the economy.

In your view, what would it take to permanently end displacement and restore normal life in affected communities, especially in Benue State?

First, we need to establish state police so that states can take greater responsibility for securing their territories. States like Benue must develop local security architecture and open up ungoverned spaces, especially farmlands that have become safe havens for bandits and terrorists.

We also need early warning systems in communities to detect attacks and enable people to respond quickly. These steps, alongside strong federal support, will help restore normalcy.

How would you assess the effectiveness of the Benue State Government’s response to the humanitarian crisis?

I would not want to go deeply into evaluating the current administration, especially given the sensitive period we are in as we mourn our people. However, I believe governments at all levels need to be more inclusive, consult widely, and think more deeply about security decisions.

We must also move away from thuggery and instead engage young people in productive ventures by creating jobs, industries, and agricultural opportunities to reduce restiveness.

Benue is known as the “food basket of the nation,” yet insecurity has forced farmers off their land. Is this situation threatening Nigeria’s food security?

Absolutely. This has significantly threatened food security. In fact, data from the National Bureau of Statistics last year showed Benue had one of the highest food inflation rates, about 55 percent.

Food has become scarce and expensive, even in rural areas. Farmers struggle to keep produce for the next planting season because they must consume or sell everything to survive. The situation is dire and requires urgent intervention.

What is the state government doing to restore farming activities, and is it enough?

There are efforts, such as initiatives by the Benue Investment Promotion Commission, including setting up processing facilities like breweries and juice factories. However, these efforts are too small in scale.

We need large-scale industrialization and mechanized agriculture. The number of tractors in Benue is grossly inadequate. What we need is a full agricultural revolution that can drive mass production and even exports across Nigeria and Africa.

The Makurdi Airport has remained largely underutilized. When should Nigerians expect full commercial operations there?

The Makurdi Airport is primarily an Air Force facility with a civilian wing. Its underutilization is partly due to the proximity of Abuja, which makes road travel more convenient.

However, the state government can partner with airlines to subsidize flights and ensure consistent operations. This will boost business, tourism, and economic activities, making air travel a viable option.

Do you believe the Federal Government has a clear strategy to end the persistent attacks in Benue State?

I believe the Federal Government is interested and concerned, as seen in the recent deployment of military personnel to affected areas, including my constituency in Kwande.

However, security must be a collaborative effort. State governments need to support federal forces with logistics, intelligence, and technology such as drones and surveillance systems. Community policing is also essential to improve intelligence gathering.

Some critics argue that the anti-open grazing law in Benue is not being effectively enforced. What is your view?

From what I understand, the anti-open grazing law was repealed and replaced with another law that has not been effectively implemented. The state also set up a local security outfit, but its impact has not been felt. Clearly, the current approach is not working. The government needs to return to the drawing board and develop a more effective and visionary security framework for the state.

Finally, what is your overall message on addressing insecurity and displacement in Nigeria?

Nigeria is going through a serious crisis, but this generation of leaders has an opportunity to end it. We must take decisive action, strengthen security systems, empower our people economically, and work together to secure the future of the country.

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