April 09, (THEWILL) – Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Seriake Dickson, has extended condolences to the Governors and people of Benue and Plateau states following recent attacks that claimed several lives in communities across the two states.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Dickson described the killings as “dastardly and callous,” stressing that the incidents were part of a wider pattern of lawlessness and brutal violence that has afflicted parts of the country.
“On behalf of my family, the people of Bayelsa West Senatorial District, and indeed Nigerians of goodwill, I express deep condolences to the governments and people of Benue and Plateau over these senseless killings,” Dickson said.
He noted that states such as Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, and Southern Kaduna have become epicentres of insecurity, witnessing persistent attacks of “genocidal magnitude and frequency.”
“The spate of killings, kidnappings, and displacement of innocent Nigerians has become alarming, almost eclipsing the Boko Haram insurgency that ravaged the Northeast,” he stated.
The former governor called for urgent and sincere dialogue within the nation’s security leadership to tackle the escalating crisis.
He urged government at all levels to rise beyond political and ethnic sentiments in addressing the insecurity that has continued to devastate rural communities.
“There are multiple factors fueling this crisis: competition for land and resources, illegal mining, criminal displacement of indigenous people, the growing activities of armed bandits, and the overarching climate crisis,” he said.
Dickson emphasised the need to adopt a comprehensive national security approach, particularly through the enforcement of ranching and a national ban on open grazing.
“I have consistently advocated for compulsory ranching, with the support of the newly established Ministry of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other relevant agencies. This is a necessary policy shift to reduce herder-farmer conflicts and promote sustainable livestock farming,” he said.
The Senator revealed that the Senate had adopted a motion he sponsored calling for a national policy on livestock and ranching, as well as increased collaboration between security agencies and community leaders to flush out bandits from forests and rural areas.
“This is not a matter for politics. It is a national security emergency that must be treated as such,” he added.
Dickson warned that the continued killings and destruction of communities without consequences was a clear sign of systemic failure.
“It is unacceptable in any civilised society for citizens to be attacked, maimed, and killed without justice. In the coming days, I intend to engage relevant authorities to push for decisive actions,” he stated.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
