Former Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army, Lt Col Lamidi Adeosun (retd.), has blamed weak governance as the root cause and catalyst for issues of insecurity in Benue, Plateau and other states of the Middle Belt.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
Adeosun stated this on Wednesday while delivering the first distinguished lecture of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Lagos State University, with the theme: “Strategies for Tackling Insecurity in the Middle Belt: An Insider’s Perspective.”
Adeosun said weak governance is evident in the failure of government institutions to manage ethnic and communal tensions, regulate land and resource use, and respond to violence in a timely and impartial manner.
“The crisis of insecurity in Nigeria’s Middle Belt stands as a sobering indictment of the failures of leadership, governance, and state responsiveness in a region that should otherwise serve as a fulcrum of national unity and agricultural prosperity,” he said.
Noting that access to land and natural resources, especially between indigenous communities and nomadic pastoralists, was behind the crisis in the region, Adeosun said the state needed to reform or implement clear land use policies, especially the Land Use Act of 1978, which centralises land ownership in the hands of the state government.
He said, “The Middle Belt is historically marked by ethnic diversity, religious pluralism, and socio-political complexity. While these characteristics are often celebrated, they have also become flashpoints for violent conflicts and insecurity.
“Among the multiple factors fuelling these conflicts, weak governance stands out as both a root cause and a catalyst for escalating insecurity.
“Weak governance manifests through corruption, institutional incapacity, lack of political will, poor law enforcement, and inadequate policy responses, each of which contributes significantly to the instability plaguing the region.”
He stressed that the failure of the state to decisively and equitably deal with recurring attacks continued to create a perception of government bias, thereby emboldening armed groups and eroding citizens’ trust in state authority.
“In states like Plateau and Benue, ethno-religious violence has been recurrent for decades. The inability of the government to mediate conflicts fairly, prosecute perpetrators, and implement inclusive policies has led to widespread disillusionment and retaliatory violence.
“Weak governance manifests in the government’s inability to reform or implement clear land use policies. The Land Use Act of 1978 centralises land ownership in the hands of state governors, yet most states have failed to effectively manage land disputes.
“This vacuum has been exploited by armed groups who use violence to assert territorial claims. The recurring herder-farmer clashes in Benue and Nasarawa States exemplify this failure, where the absence of favourable and fair enforceable grazing laws has led to violent confrontations.”
Alongside weak governance, he identified the factors behind insecurity in the Middle Belt to include systemic corruption, ethno-religious tensions and identity politics, violent contestation over land and natural resources, political elites’ manipulation and criminality.
Adeosun added, “Another dimension of weak governance is systemic corruption, particularly within the security sector. Corrupt practices such as bribery, nepotism, and selective deployment of security forces hinder proactive responses to threats.
“In many instances, communities in the Middle Belt have accused security agencies of collusion with attackers or turning a blind eye to ongoing violence. For example, during the 2018 massacre in Benue State, reports surfaced of security forces being alerted in advance but failing to intervene. This not only allows violence to fester but also undermines the legitimacy of the state.”
He added, “In the vacuum left by a weak state, non-state actors such as vigilante groups, ethnic militias, and criminal gangs have emerged as alternative sources of security and justice.
“While some were initially formed to protect local communities, many have evolved into violent groups engaged in criminality, extortion, and political manipulation. The rise of Terwase Akwaza, alias Gana, in Benue State illustrates how weak governance allows warlords to gain power, recruit unemployed youth, and operate parallel structures of authority. These groups often thrive in environments where the state is either absent or compromised.”
Downplaying the role of security agencies in stemming the recurring attacks in the Middle Belt, Adeosun said crucial strategies include strengthening community-based security architectures like Amotekun in the South-West, institutionalisation of good governance, land reform and resource-based conflict resolution, regulation and modernisation of livestock farming (ranching), and dismantling political elite manipulation.
“They present a clear departure from externally imposed, top-down security models that ignore the intricate socio-cultural and historical realities of the Middle Belt.
“By prioritising local agency, inclusive governance, and strategic leadership, these approaches offer a sustainable roadmap for peacebuilding and resilience,” Adeosun added.
The lecture hosted by the Director, Centre for Peace and Security Studies, LASU, Prof Adewumi Falode, was attended by the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, represented by Dean, Postgraduate School, Prof Ibrahim Olateju; former Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof Olumuyiwa Noah; serving officers of the Nigerian Army, among others.
“Order Your Copy Now” — Basil Momodu, Esq. Unveils Second Edition Of His Book, "Civil Procedure In Nigeria"
According to the learned author, Basil Momodu Esq. "Law review is a continuum. We will continue to track changes in the law to enrich future editions." Recommended Booksellers: Lagos: 08033855230, Abuja: 08035991379, and others.
_______________________________________________________________________
“Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
_______________________________________________________________________
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
