Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Makurdi, Nigeria — Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN), has made an unprecedented appeal for the United States government to extend air strike operations into Benue State, citing what he described as an urgent need to flush out terrorists and armed groups that he says have overrun large parts of the central Nigerian state. The call, made during a late-night consultation dinner with political stakeholders in Makurdi on Friday evening, signals the deep frustration felt by many in the face of persistent insecurity that has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands of residents in recent years.
The event, attended by leaders and representatives from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), became a forum for debate on the deteriorating security situation in Benue — a state long plagued by violent attacks attributed to armed herders, bandits and other armed elements. In an appeal that has provoked widespread discussion, Aondoakaa urged U.S. military intervention similar to the recent air strikes conducted in Nigeria’s northwest Sokoto State in late December 2025, which targeted camps associated with Islamist militant groups.
“There are terrorists in Benue State,” Aondoakaa declared, asserting that the U.S. air strikes should have started here before Sokoto and that such operations are “long overdue” in Benue. He claimed that armed elements masquerading as herders have launched sustained attacks on communities, destroyed livelihoods, displaced residents, and effectively occupied farmland across several local government areas.
The former minister and 2027 gubernatorial aspirant accused the state government of failing to respond adequately to the mounting crisis. He emphasised that the escalation of attacks — including the massacre in Yelwata community, where security sources and local reports say hundreds were killed in a single spree — underscores the severity of the threat now facing the state. Aondoakaa pledged that protection of lives and property would be his top priority if elected governor, and he urged continued support from the federal government to shore up security efforts in the region.
Security analysts and residents describe Benue’s insecurity as a complex and evolving crisis rooted in long-running herder–farmer conflicts, competition over land and water resources, and the proliferation of armed criminal groups. Historically, clashes between herders and farming communities have periodically erupted into violence — but many observers argue that recent attacks have transcended traditional disputes and resemble coordinated assaults by heavily armed networks. Previous incidents, including the notorious Akpanta killings in 2025, where dozens were killed during raids on farming communities, illustrate how deeply entrenched violence has become in the state’s rural areas.
Beyond the Yelwata attack — a flashpoint of national outrage — multiple communities in Benue have endured repeated assaults that have left scores dead and many more displaced. In some cases, local government areas have reportedly been rendered almost ungovernable by the pervasive presence of armed groups, forcing villagers to flee to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps under deplorable conditions. Human rights organisations have documented widespread destruction of homes, farms and infrastructure, noting that the cumulative impact of violence has generated a humanitarian crisis that continues to deepen.
Aondoakaa’s call for U.S. air strikes draws directly on the precedent set by Christmas Day operations in Sokoto State in December 2025, when the United States, in coordination with the Nigerian government, struck camps linked to Islamist extremist groups in the Bauni forest. That campaign involved precision munitions launched from drones and naval platforms with the stated aim of degrading militant capabilities. While Nigerian authorities hailed the strikes as successful, the operations also sparked debate at home about foreign involvement in Nigeria’s internal security affairs.
In recommending that similar action be taken in Benue, Aondoakaa appears to be advocating a shift toward international counter-terrorism strategies in a region traditionally managed by domestic security forces. His comments underscore a belief that local and federal security responses have been insufficient to stem the tide of violence afflicting the central state. Supporters of his position argue that sustained aerial operations, backed by credible intelligence, could disrupt the operational bases of armed groups now embedded in remote corners of Benue. However, critics caution that calling for foreign military action on Nigerian soil raises questions about sovereignty, civilian safety, and the long-term efficacy of external intervention in complex internal conflicts.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration have previously shown willingness to cooperate with international partners on security matters; the Sokoto strikes were approved by the Nigerian government and executed in partnership with U.S. forces. At the same time, officials in Abuja have maintained that Nigeria must lead its own security response and that foreign involvement should be carefully calibrated to avoid unintended consequences for civilian populations.
Within Benue itself, political tensions over security policy are rising as the 2027 elections approach. Aondoakaa’s appeal at the consultation dinner reflects a broader anxiety among residents and leaders about how best to reclaim territory and restore order. Former Governor Samuel Ortom, who also spoke at the event, echoed calls for unity across party lines to confront insecurity and promote stability, suggesting that durable solutions will require collaborative effort among all stakeholders.
Local civil society groups and community advocates, while acknowledging the depth of the security crisis, have expressed reservations about proposals for foreign military action. These voices argue that strengthening local security architecture, improving intelligence gathering, and addressing underlying socio-economic grievances that fuel violence are essential components of any sustainable peace strategy. Many insist that solutions must prioritise community resilience, development, and inclusive governance to prevent cycles of violence from recurring.
The federal government continues to balance these competing considerations. While President Tinubu has authorised robust military campaigns against extremist elements in northern Nigeria and sought partnerships with international allies, authorities also face growing pressure to protect civilians in central states like Benue. The government has emphasised ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Army, police and other security agencies to conduct ground operations, patrols, and targeted engagements aimed at degrading the capabilities of armed groups without escalating conflict further.
For the residents of Benue State — many of whom have endured repeated displacement, loss of life and the destruction of livelihoods — Aondoakaa’s call for external intervention reflects profound frustration with the status quo. Whether his appeal will influence national or international policy remains uncertain, but it has undeniably thrust discussions about the nature of Nigeria’s security strategy into the spotlight.
As the debate unfolds, Benue’s citizens, political leaders and security officials will continue to grapple with the twin imperatives of restoring peace and ensuring that any actions taken — whether domestic or foreign — align with the long-term interests and safety of the state’s diverse communities.
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