The current insecurity debate in Nigeria continues to center on rising violent crimes such as terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and attacks on communities in various parts of the country. Amid these concerns, President Bola Tinubu consistently calls for national unity beyond political and religious divides, emphasizing that such unity would greatly enhance the government’s efforts to combat insecurity and safeguard all Nigerians.
Recently, a senior presidential aide visited the North Central region—which includes Benue, Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa, and Kwara States—an area hard hit by banditry, armed assaults, and kidnappings.
Dr. Abiodun Essiet, who is Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Engagement for the North Central region, has been engaging with community leaders, Fulani representatives (Miyetti Allah), women, youth groups, religious, and traditional leaders as part of the Federal Government’s broader peacebuilding initiatives across the region and the nation.
Many experts and stakeholders are concerned that escalating insecurity threatens to destabilize Nigeria, harm its economy, deter foreign investment, and provoke food shortages due to abandoned farms.
During her visit, Dr. Essiet focused on promoting dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and increased collaboration among the region’s diverse communities. She stressed the Federal Government’s dedication to supporting local peace efforts, building trust, and encouraging inclusive participation.
In Plateau State, Dr. Essiet held strategic meetings with security officials, local government chairmen, and peace agencies to boost cooperation on conflict prevention, strengthen community resilience, and enhance peace structures across all 17 Local Government Areas. The three-day visit prioritized cooperation between government bodies and community actors to tackle grassroots challenges and foster inclusive governance.
Earlier in November 2025, Dr. Essiet also visited Benue State as part of President Tinubu’s wider mission to address violence in North Central and other parts of the country. The two-day trip involved consultations with local stakeholders, security assessments, and the establishment of community peace structures across Benue’s 23 Local Government Areas to advance inclusivity and mutual understanding.
While in Benue, she met prominent leaders including the Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council.
Key achievements of Dr. Essiet’s peacebuilding visits in both states included community workshops and the formation of grassroots peace frameworks, marking important progress in President Tinubu administration’s broader pursuit of social cohesion.
These visits came amid threats by cleric Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo to take Nigeria to the International Criminal Court over alleged “systematic genocide” and mass killings of Christians in the North. They also followed US President Donald Trump’s warning of possible military intervention in Nigeria, citing mass Christian killings by Islamist militants and accusing the Federal Government of failing to protect them.
President Tinubu, his aides, and Nigerian experts have refuted these claims, highlighting that groups like Boko Haram and al-Qaeda-affiliated militants target people regardless of faith—an important distinction the government aims to clarify.
Through Dr. Essiet’s visits, President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s firm commitment to inclusive governance and peacebuilding in the North Central region, and the entire country, focusing on dialogue, reconciliation, cooperation, and coexistence among diverse communities to foster grassroots unity and long-lasting stability.
