Admin I Monday, Sept 14, 2026
LAGOS, Nigeria – Human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has questioned what he described as a “sobering security paradox” in Benue State. His comments follow a recent attack on the Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area, which reportedly left four police officers and seven civilians dead.
In a statement titled “When Youths Can Stop a Political Convoy but Cannot Stop the Killers: Benue’s Sobering Security Paradox,” Ejiofor expressed concern over the apparent misdirection of youthful energy within the state.
He highlighted a recent incident where local youths blocked the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), preventing him from reaching Yelwata to sympathize with victims of a previous massacre.
According to Ejiofor, the contrast between the two events raises troubling questions about civic priorities and community protection.
“Where were all the formidable young men who could erect a roadblock against a presidential candidate when armed assailants were descending upon Ayilamo?” Ejiofor asked.
Clarifying his position, the lawyer emphasized that his remarks were not aimed at discouraging youth activism. Instead, he argued that the organizational capacity and energy displayed on the highways should be redirected toward community vigilance, intelligence gathering, and supporting security agencies.
Describing Ayilamo as an agrarian community repeatedly battered by destruction, loss of life, and displacement, Ejiofor urged Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to move beyond routine condemnations and implement a robust security strategy for vulnerable areas. He specifically pointed to Yelwata, Ayilamo, Otukpo Nobi, and Ugboju as communities in urgent need of reinforced security.
“The tragedy of Benue is that its farmers do not need political warriors on the highways; they need protectors in the hinterlands,” he noted.
Ejiofor added that while local leadership must act, the Federal Government and federal security agencies retain the ultimate constitutional duty to safeguard citizens, noting that the scale of violence in Benue exceeds the capacity of any single state actor.
Drawing a comparison to recent remarks by Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike regarding roaming cattle in Abuja, Ejiofor questioned national security priorities.
“If cows walking on Abuja roads can graduate into a national security matter, what classification should we reserve for armed men invading farming communities, burning houses, and killing police officers and civilians?” he asked.
Looking toward long-term solutions, Ejiofor advocated for the establishment of state police. He suggested that, with proper training and professional oversight, local youths could be constructively integrated into a formal community security framework rather than being exploited as political tools.
“Benue does not need youths wielding weapons against fellow Nigerians exercising their lawful rights,” Ejiofor said. “Benue needs youths wielding courage against insecurity, intelligence against terrorism, and discipline against political thuggery.”
Concluding his statement, Ejiofor emphasized that the contrast between blocking political access to Yelwata and leaving Ayilamo exposed to attack should serve as an urgent wake-up call.
“The road to Yelwata may have been blocked. The road to Ayilamo was not. And therein lies the question that Benue—and indeed Nigeria—must urgently answer.”
