A prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State has strongly opposed the state's participation in the newly created Northern Security Trust Fund. Chief Bemgba Iortyom, a former PDP Publicity Secretary in the state and a hopeful for the 2027 governorship race, has labelled the initiative a dangerous diversion of Benue's resources.
A Controversial Regional Security Plan
The Northern Governors’ Forum recently announced a major regional security arrangement covering 19 states. The plan, unveiled after a joint meeting with the Northern Traditional Rulers’ Council (NTRC) in Kaduna on Monday, December 2, 2025, proposes a monthly deduction of N1 billion from each state to fund a collective trust. The goal is to enhance intelligence gathering, emergency response, technology, and community policing across the region to tackle escalating banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.
However, speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, December 4, 2025, Iortyom launched a scathing critique. He argued that Governor Hyacinth Alia's agreement to commit such a huge sum monthly to a regional fund, while allegedly under-investing in Benue's own security architecture, shows the governor is not serious about ending local insecurity.
Flawed Structure and Misplaced Priorities
Iortyom described the trust fund as structurally flawed. He warned it risks becoming a regional umbrella that could inadvertently strengthen the interests of those attacking Benue communities, using Benue's own financial contributions. "The people must reject Governor Alia’s decision to drag Benue into this arrangement," he declared. "Our state cannot contribute N1 billion monthly into a fund that will not secure our borders, will not enforce our laws, and will not protect our communities."
He presented a stark alternative, stating that if the governor deployed even half of the proposed N1 billion monthly into bolstering local intelligence systems, volunteer guards, and rural response units, insecurity in Benue could be eradicated within months.
Call to Strengthen Local Security Networks
The PDP chieftain specifically criticised Governor Alia for disbanding local security outfits established under the previous administration. He pointed to the Livestock Guards and Volunteer Guards, who were trained to enforce the state’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law (2017).
"What government needs to do is simple: engage the communities, follow the administrative chain down to the local government and ward levels, and strengthen existing local security structures," Iortyom advised. He emphasised that grassroots communities possess the clearest information about criminal movements.
He concluded that while federal forces like the Army and Air Force are needed to confront heavily armed terrorists, the fundamental solution lies in partnership. "Local communities can defend themselves if the government partners with them, local governments, traditional rulers and volunteer networks across the state. What is missing is not capacity but political will," he stated.
