By Ihotu Uriel
ABUJA — In a strategic push for peace in Benue State, the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Insecurity in Benue paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at the Naval Headquarters in Abuja.
Led by Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi, the Committee delegation also included Hon. Fred Agbedi, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene-Ogbaru, and other officials of the House of Representatives. The visit aimed to brief the Naval leadership on the Committee’s mandate and explore collaborative frameworks to address the ongoing security challenges in Benue.
In his address, Hon. Gbefwi acknowledged the efforts of the Nigerian Navy and the wider Armed Forces in responding to nationwide insecurity, while stressing that more concrete and coordinated actions are needed to permanently resolve the recurring violence and displacement in Benue communities.
“We are here not only to express our appreciation for the Navy’s role but to engage on solutions that can bring lasting peace to our people,” Gbefwi stated.
Responding, Vice Admiral Ogalla emphasized the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach to conflict resolution, describing it as a “Whole-of-Society” effort. He noted that the Nigerian Navy Special Operations Command headquartered in Makurdi, along with the newly activated Nigerian Navy Marines, is part of the Navy’s broader effort to reinforce presence and enhance rapid response capabilities in the region.
The Naval Chief also underscored the use of both kinetic and non-kinetic operations, carried out in coordination with other security agencies, to address the underlying causes and triggers of conflict in the state.
During the meeting, senior naval officers presented a comprehensive analysis of the security dynamics in Benue and proposed operational strategies to improve inter-agency effectiveness on ground.
Hon. Gbefwi thanked the CNS for the robust engagement and revealed that the Committee would soon embark on a field mission to Benue State for direct assessment and consultations with affected communities and key stakeholders.
