The immediate past President General of Mdzough U Tiv Worldwide, Chief Iorbee Ihagh, has backed the establishment of state police, describing it as a critical step toward addressing insecurity at the grassroots level and tackling the persistent farmer-herder crisis in Benue State and other parts of the country.
Ihagh also congratulated Barrister Stephen Aondonam Akpehe on his emergence as Ex-Officio in the newly constituted leadership of the socio-cultural organisation. In a statement, he said Akpehe's emergence comes at a crucial time when community-based leadership and traditional institutions are expected to play greater roles in supporting security initiatives and promoting peaceful coexistence across communities.
Why State Police Matters
According to him, state police would provide a more effective security response because officers recruited from local communities possess better knowledge of the terrain, language, culture and security dynamics of their areas. He noted that such local intelligence would help security agencies detect threats early, prevent attacks and respond more swiftly to incidents, particularly in rural communities frequently affected by farmer-herder clashes.
Ihagh said the farmer-herder crisis, which has claimed numerous lives and displaced thousands of residents in Benue and several other states, requires a security architecture that is closer to the people and capable of addressing conflicts before they escalate. He argued that state police, working in collaboration with federal security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders, would strengthen intelligence gathering, improve surveillance and enhance the protection of vulnerable farming communities.
Akpehe's Role and Community Support
The former President General expressed confidence in Akpehe's ability to contribute meaningfully to the organisation's objectives, citing his track record of service, transparency and commitment to community development. He also commended Tiv traditional rulers and stakeholders for recognising merit and rewarding dedication, noting that effective collaboration among cultural organisations, traditional institutions and government would be vital to the success of any state policing framework.
According to Ihagh, leaders with proven integrity and strong grassroots acceptance, such as Akpehe, would be instrumental in mobilising communities to support efforts aimed at enhancing security, peace and development in Tiv land and beyond.
