GOV ALIA’S VISIT TO KWANDE AFTER THE SILENCE OF GUNFIRE
Isaac Uzaan
When Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia arrived in Turan, Kwande Local Government Area, on February 10, 2026, he was not stepping into a ceremonial gathering. He was walking into a community that was visibly heavy with fear, loss and uncertainty.
The recent bandit attacks on Anwase, Abande and surrounding settlements had left visible scars of dispair on Kwande Local Government Area. Roadside houses stood deserted as entire families fled for safety. At the Anwase Market Square, displaced residents gathered in clusters, some seeking shelter, others simply seeking reassurance that they had not been forgotten.
For many in Turan, the Governor’s visit was more than a routine assessment. It was a moment of direct engagement, a chance for the state’s chief executive to see, firsthand, the human and structural damage caused by the attackers.
Moving through the affected communities, Governor Alia inspected damaged areas and interacted with residents. The stories were familiar: sudden attacks, hurried escapes, and lost livelihoods. Farming activities, the backbone of the local economy, had been disrupted as many now reside with relatives or in temporary shelters.
During a stopover at Nyihemba settlement, Governor Alia interacted with traditional rulers in the area recognizing them as custodian of culture who can protect the vulnerable populations. This interaction was aimed at leveraging the grassroot influence of traditional rulers to combat insecurity. This partnership will enhance intelligence sharing and create stronger support for security agencies.
Addressing the people at the Anwase Market Square and later at RCM Primary School, Jato-Aka, the Governor condemned the attacks as unprovoked and reassured residents that their safety and dignity remain a top priority of his administration.
He urged them not to lose hope, Security, he emphasized, would not be treated as a temporary response but as a structured and sustained effort, assuring them of his continued support and the support of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
One of the key outcomes of the visit was the announcement of the Nyihemba–Tomataan–Mkem–Anwase–Abande road project. Beyond improving mobility, the proposed road carries strategic importance. According to the Governor, its grading, along with the construction of culverts and bridges before the rainy season, will enhance patrol operations and enable rapid response by security agencies.
In a terrain where poor access has often slowed intervention, infrastructure becomes more than development it becomes protection.
To further strengthen security, Governor Alia announced the donation of ten motorcycles to boost border patrol and replace those reportedly taken by bandits. Additional motorbikes were expected to enhance surveillance across vulnerable routes.
The state government is also working with network providers to install a communication booster in the area, addressing longstanding connectivity challenges that have hindered swift emergency communication.
To completely restore the community’s spirit, Governor Alia pledged to revive electricity supply, reactivate solar streetlights, and provide potable water to Nyihemba and Anwase.
Governor Alia also revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been briefed on the situation and has directed reinforcement to the affected areas, a development that residents hoped would surely mark a turning point.
These promises speak to a broader goal, not merely to repel attacks, but to rebuild daily life.
Governor Alia reiterated that his administration would not relent until displaced persons currently in IDP camps return safely to their ancestral homes to resume farming and other economic activities.
Throughout the visit, unity emerged as a central theme. Governor Alia called on the people of Kwande, particularly those in Turan, to come together and support security formations operating in their communities. Development, he noted, cannot thrive without peace, and peace requires collective effort.
Local leaders echoed their sentiment. Kwande Local Government Chairman, Mr. Vitalis Neji, thanked the Governor for visiting the troubled communities. He acknowledged the displacement of residents and appreciated the efforts of the state government in bringing peace to the area.
The Ter Kwande, HRH Engineer Timothy Ahule, appealed for proper border demarcation between Kwande and neighboring areas of Taraba State, while also calling for basic amenities to support displaced persons. Meanwhile, the President of the Turan Development Association, Mr. Cletus Iorkyaa, thanked the Governor for visiting them and pledged the people’s support for the Governor’s administration.
Beyond the policy announcements and official assurances, what lingered most during the visit was the atmosphere, the quiet resilience of a people determined not to abandon their land. In Turan, recovery will surely take effect. Roads will be built. Lights will come back. Farmers will return to their fields, and trust will be rebuilt and restored.
Governor Alia’s visit to Turan community signaled the beginning of that process, an acknowledgment that security is not just about presence, but about restoring confidence, rebuilding infrastructure, and reaffirming that no community stands alone in the face of adversity.
Isaac Uzaan is Principal Special Assistant (PSA) to the Governor of Benue State on Media and Content Creation, and he writes from Makurdi.
