Ogenna Walter Ekwubiri urges action to end terror in Benue, Borno, Kano.

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

A Nigerian civil society leader has called for a national security emergency following a recent surge in violence across several states, particularly the renewed killings in Benue State, in the country’s north-central region.

Dr. Ogenna Walter Ekwubiri, Founder of the Motivating African Youths Initiative (MAY-I), made the call during a press conference in Abuja on Monday.

She decried the “relentless bloodshed” across communities in Benue, Kebbi, Borno, Bayelsa, Kano, and Plateau States, which has led to mass displacement, deepening poverty, and a growing climate of fear.

“What we are witnessing is not just a security breakdown but a humanitarian catastrophe,” Ekwubiri said. “Benue, once known as the Food Basket of the Nation, has become a site of endless burials and forgotten promises.”

According to civil society estimates, thousands of civilians in Nigeria’s middle belt have been displaced in recent years due to communal clashes, armed herder attacks, and banditry. Human rights groups and international observers have expressed concerns over the government’s failure to respond adequately.

Dr. Ekwubiri outlined five urgent policy actions, including:

“Declaration of a national security emergency. Deployment of rapid response peacekeeping units

“Establishment of community-based intelligence systems. Prosecution of attackers and sponsors of violence

“Comprehensive trauma recovery and reintegration programs for victims.”

She also drew attention to the plight of widows, women, and children, who are often the worst affected by ongoing violence.

“We are burying our future. This
crisis is eroding the foundation of our nation and endangering the next generation,” she added.

The Motivating African Youths Initiative (MAY-I) is a pan-African non-profit focused on leadership, peacebuilding, and social justice for women and youth across the continent.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, continues to grapple with multiple internal conflicts, including Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, and farmer-herder clashes in the central belt. While federal authorities claim progress, many local communities say little has changed on the ground.

International observers are calling on Nigeria’s government to urgently implement inclusive peace strategies and prioritize the safety and dignity of its citizens.