Ekoja Vows to Champion Security Reforms, End Silence Over Killings in Benue South
By Matthew Eloyi
A senatorial aspirant for Benue South Senatorial District, Bashir Hassan Ekoja, has decried the persistent insecurity ravaging parts of Benue State, describing the silence of elected leaders as a betrayal of the people they swore to protect.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, Ekoja, who hails from Agatu, said communities in Benue South are daily being torn apart by violence and displacement, with farmlands deserted, schools shut, and families left in ruin due to incessant attacks by suspected herdsmen and armed bandits.
“From Agatu to Gwer West, from Apa to Otukpo, our people are living in fear, displaced from their ancestral homes, and stripped of their dignity,” he lamented. “Farms have been abandoned, schools closed, and families shattered — all while those elected to protect the people watch in silence or trade blame.”
He recalled his personal experience in 2013 when his own village in Agatu was attacked by suspected Fulani herdsmen, resulting in the destruction of his family home and the death and displacement of many.
“That day left a scar — not just on my life, but on my commitment to serve,” Ekoja stated.
The senatorial hopeful vowed to be a “loud, unrelenting voice” for the people if elected, promising to champion legislation that strengthens local security structures, advocate for state policing, and push for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of affected communities.
“I will demand accountability from security agencies and ensure that victims of these attacks are not forgotten or left behind,” he said.
Calling for a new kind of leadership that is “courageous, compassionate, and competent,” Ekoja said he is stepping forward to lead with resolve and urgency.
“Benue cannot bleed forever… I am ready to serve. I am ready to lead. And I am ready to fight for Benue,” he declared.
The statement comes amid growing concerns over the failure of both federal and state authorities to curb violence in rural parts of the state, particularly in the Benue South axis, which has suffered repeated attacks in recent years.
