Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating insecurity across Nigeria, particularly in Benue and Plateau states. In a recent statement, Dickson condemned the "dastardly and callous massacres" occurring in these regions, asserting that they represent a clear indication of state failure. He communicated his condolences to Benue State Governor, H.E. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, and officials of the Plateau State Government, conveying the sympathy of his senatorial district and Nigerians of goodwill.

Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa, highlighted the repeated victimization of states such as Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, and Southern Kaduna, which have endured "criminality, lawlessness, and brutality in a genocidal magnitude." He lamented the unchecked violence perpetrated by armed gunmen, resulting in mass murders, banditry, kidnapping, and widespread terror. The senator expressed concern that these acts of violence are overshadowing even the Boko Haram insurgency that has plagued the northeastern part of the country for years.

The senator called for immediate and decisive intervention from the federal government, emphasizing the urgent need for an honest and frank national conversation regarding the deteriorating security situation. "At this point, the leadership of this country and the topmost hierarchy of the security architecture need to really sit down and have a frank and honest conversation about what to do, and do it fast," Dickson stated.

Dickson identified multiple factors contributing to the national security crisis. These include the perennial clashes between farmers and herders driven by competition for resources, the illicit activities of illegal miners, the displacement of indigenous populations for land acquisition, and the overarching challenges posed by climate change. He also acknowledged the role of pure criminality, such as banditry and kidnapping, which further exacerbate the security landscape.

To address the root causes of these conflicts, Senator Dickson has renewed his call for the Federal Government to fast-track ranching as a viable solution to the persistent clashes between farmers and herders nationwide. He advocated for mandatory ranching, supported by comprehensive support and orientation programs for herdsmen, followed by a nationwide prohibition of open grazing.

Dickson proposed leveraging the newly established Ministry of Livestock, along with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other relevant institutions, to create a robust mechanism and funding framework to support compulsory ranching and other agribusinesses across the country. He also stressed the importance of strengthening security agencies and fostering collaboration with community leaders to combat bandits and criminals operating in rural areas and forests, thereby enforcing the prohibition of open grazing throughout Nigeria.

"It is not acceptable in this country or any other, for people wherever they are to be attacked, maimed, killed, and communities ransacked at will without consequences, while the rest of the country and the world move on," Dickson declared, underscoring the gravity of the situation. He characterized the unchecked violence as "the clearest evidence of State failure and collapse." Dickson pledged to raise these critical issues with the relevant authorities in the coming days, advocating for urgent and comprehensive action to restore peace and security to affected communities.