Dickson sympathises with Benue, Plateau over killings

Sen. Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa) has condoled with Benue and Plateau governors over the recent killings in their states.

The former governor of Bayelsa described the incidents as “dastardly and callous” attacks on innocent lives.

Dickson, who stated this in a statement on Thursday, said that several states, including Benue, Plateau, and Zamfara, have been plagued by criminality, lawlessness, and brutality, with increasing frequency.

The lawmaker condemned incessant attacks on innocent souls by bandits, comparing them to the Boko Haram insurgency that ravaged the North-East.

He called for urgent action, stating that the nation’s leadership and security chiefs must have an honest conversation about addressing the worsening security situation.

Dickson identified factors contributing to the crisis, including competition for resources, illegal mining, and climate-related conflicts, as well as perennial clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

He proposed implementing mandatory ranching and prohibiting open grazing nationwide to address the issue.

The lawmaker suggested that relevant ministries and institutions fund and enforce sustainable practices.

He emphasised that this is a national imperative that requires collaboration between security agencies and community leaders to combat bandits and enforce the grazing ban.

Dickson explained that such attacks are evidence of state failure and collapse, promising to raise these issues with relevant authorities in the coming days.