Insecurity in Benue State: A Comparative Analysis of Ortom’s Bold Leadership vs. Alia’s Passive Approach

Benue State continues to grapple with violent farmer-herder clashes and widespread insecurity. While both former Governor Samuel Ortom and current Governor Hyacinth Alia inherited deeply rooted crises, their approaches to resolving these issues have been markedly different. Ortom is remembered for bold, confrontational policies aimed at defending his people, whereas Alia’s tenure has been characterized by cautious rhetoric and minimal innovation. This report evaluates their leadership styles, policies, and outcomes, revealing why Ortom’s tenure is seen as more effective in the fight against insecurity.

1. Security Philosophy: Transparency vs. Denial

Ortom: Direct and Confrontational
Governor Ortom adopted an unyielding stance on insecurity, openly condemning herder attacks and challenging the federal government’s perceived complicity. He frequently addressed the public during crises, even inviting media coverage of mass burials to highlight the severity of the violence. This transparency built public trust and mobilized support for state-led interventions.

Alia: Ambiguous and Evasive
Governor Alia, on the other hand, projects an image of “relative peace,” often downplaying ongoing violence. His administration has been accused of suppressing information about killings, particularly after declaring peace in troubled areas like Gwer East, where attacks have continued. Farmers and local leaders see this as a denial of reality and a betrayal of their suffering.

2. Policy Implementation: Institutional Innovation vs. Cosmetic Changes

Ortom’s Legislative and Structural Framework
Ortom’s government enacted the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in 2017, a decisive legal step to restrict herders’ movements and prosecute offenders. He also established the Community Volunteer Guards and Livestock Guards, both aimed at localized intelligence gathering and law enforcement.

Alia’s Minimal Adjustments
Alia has retained Ortom’s laws without introducing significant new legislation or enforcement strategies. His main contribution has been the rebranding of Ortom’s security outfits into “Operation Anyam Nyor,” a move critics say is superficial. No substantial institutional reforms have accompanied this change, and operational efficiency remains stagnant.

3. Federal Engagement: Defiance vs. Compliance

Ortom: Confronting the Centre
Ortom boldly criticized the Buhari administration for failing to protect Benue, often accusing it of enabling attacks. While this confrontational approach strained federal relations, it rallied local support and drew national attention to Benue’s plight.

Alia: Silence and Submission
In contrast, Alia avoids criticizing the federal government under President Tinubu, choosing instead to praise federal support despite the persistence of violence. This deference is viewed as political expediency rather than genuine leadership.

4. Operational Outcomes: Measurable Action vs. Rhetoric

Ortom: Localized Security Response
Under Ortom, security forces trained and deployed across rural areas responded rapidly to attacks. The Community Volunteer Guards and Livestock Guards were active in enforcing the anti-grazing law, leading to arrests and deterrence.

Alia: Equipment without Effectiveness
Although Alia has distributed motorcycles and Hilux vehicles to security agencies, he has admitted that no terrorists have been apprehended. His security initiatives have yielded no measurable success, and even his supporters question the effectiveness of these efforts.

5. Humanitarian Response: Empathy vs. Optics

Ortom: Focused on IDP Protection
Ortom maintained IDP camps and acknowledged the displacement of over four million people, attracting local and international support. His administration prioritized safety over public relations.

Alia: Forced Returns Amid Ongoing Violence
Alia has claimed that IDPs have reduced to under one million and has reopened markets in some areas. However, reports indicate that many of these “returns” are premature, with attacks still occurring in local governments like Agatu and Gwer West. Survivors have accused the government of coercing returns to create a false image of peace.

6. Leadership and Accountability: Courage vs. Excuses

Ortom: Political Courage
Ortom survived an assassination attempt and refused to repeal the anti-grazing law despite federal pressure. He stood firmly with Benue farmers, earning widespread respect for his resolve.

Alia: Deflecting Responsibility
Alia continues to blame Ortom for the insecurity he inherited, even though Ortom faced similar challenges from his own predecessors. His aides accuse Ortom of “envy” rather than addressing the current realities. Residents in places like Gwer East describe a growing sense of abandonment and fear.

Leadership Matters

Ortom’s tenure, though not without flaws, was marked by three defining traits that are glaringly absent in Alia’s administration:

• Transparency: Willingness to expose the harsh realities to mobilize help and demand justice.

• Accountability: Creation and enforcement of legal frameworks to protect lives.

• Courage: Readiness to confront political powers to defend Benue’s interests.

Alia’s leadership so far has relied on inherited policies, minimal reform, and public relations narratives. Without concrete results, his claims of peace appear hollow. Until Governor Alia adopts a bolder and more transparent strategy, Benue’s security situation risks further decline.

Final Verdict:
Samuel Ortom stood with the people in their darkest moments, confronting attackers and calling out federal failures. Hyacinth Alia, by contrast, appears more concerned with avoiding controversy and maintaining political alliances. The difference is clear: Ortom fought for Benue’s future; Alia merely manages its perception.