Benue Good Governance Group Commends Chief of Army Staff Over Visit to Benue After Deadly Attacks

 

 

The Benue Good Governance Network (BGGN) has lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for his recent visit to Benue State to coordinate military operations aimed at restoring peace and order in conflict-affected communities.

 

 

The group described the Army Chief’s actions as bold, timely, and deeply reassuring to the people of Benue, many of whom have endured years of violent attacks and displacement without visible federal intervention.

 

In a statement signed by the Convener, Dr. Amase Paul, the BGGN said General Oluyede’s presence in the state — personally assessing the situation, meeting with troops, and engaging with key stakeholders — sent a strong message of renewed federal resolve to bring an end to terrorism and protect innocent lives.

 

“For many of our people, this visit came like the first rainfall after a long drought. It was a powerful demonstration that Benue is not alone and not forgotten. Lieutenant General Oluyede has restored our faith in the Nigerian Army and in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration,” Dr Paul said.

 

Benue State has witnessed a series of brutal attacks by armed militias and terrorists, especially in rural communities where state protection has been minimal. Dozens have been killed, properties destroyed, and families forced to live in IDP camps for years. In recent months, this violence intensified, leaving residents feeling abandoned and vulnerable.

 

According to BGGN, the military chief’s proactive decision to visit the flashpoints and directly coordinate troop deployment marks a turning point in the fight to reclaim the state from lawlessness.

 

“His boots-on-ground approach shows courage and sincerity. It gave our people a sense of safety they have not felt in years. Our women now sleep without fear, and our youths feel that the government finally understands their pain,” he added.

 

The statement further praised the renewed military coordination as evidence of President Tinubu’s determination to tackle insecurity in all parts of Nigeria, particularly in regions where terror has lingered too long without response.

 

“Before now, there was a growing belief that Benue had been left to its fate. But the actions of General Oluyede and the clear support from the President have changed that perception. Our people now feel reassured that all will be well again,” he added.

 

The Benue Good Governance Network said the federal government must ensure this momentum is sustained. It called for more troops, intelligence operations, and continued community engagement to eliminate criminal hideouts and build trust between civilians and the military.

 

“We urge the Chief of Army Staff not to allow this visit to be a one-off gesture. Let it mark the beginning of sustained and well-coordinated efforts to permanently end terrorism in our land,” Dr. Paul stated.

 

The group also pledged the full cooperation and support of Benue youths to complement the military’s efforts. It noted that local knowledge, civilian intelligence, and inter-generational partnerships will be key to restoring lasting peace.

 

“The youths of Benue are ready to support this new direction. We will organise, sensitise, and mobilise our communities to work hand-in-hand with the Nigerian Army in defeating terror. It is our land, and we will defend it — through unity, lawful engagement, and honest partnership,” the group stated.

 

The BGGN said it has already begun deploying its networks across affected local government areas to facilitate communication between youth leaders and military commanders on the ground.

 

“We believe peace must be built by both the gun and goodwill. While the soldiers defend us, our duty is to help create an environment where peace can grow and survive,” Paul added.

 

The group further urged the Army and federal government to pay attention to the post-conflict phase, including the reconstruction of schools, hospitals, roads, and homes destroyed by violence.

 

“Lasting peace goes beyond the battlefield. It requires healing, rebuilding, and restoring the dignity of displaced families. We appeal to the Chief of Army Staff to work with relevant agencies to ensure that the military’s success is followed by relief, recovery and development.”

 

Dr. Paul concluded by reaffirming the network’s commitment to advancing good governance, civic responsibility, and public accountability in the state.

 

He also called on traditional institutions, religious leaders, and civil society groups to rally behind the peace efforts initiated by the military leadership.

 

“Lieutenant General Oluyede has done what true leaders do. We thank him. And we stand ready to support him in this courageous mission to restore peace in our dear Benue State,” the group concluded.

 

Popular Fuji music star and cultural ambassador, Ambassador Sulaimon Adio, popularly known as Atawewe, has extended warm greetings to Muslims across Nigeria and the world as they celebrate this year’s Eid-El-Kabir.

In a message shared to commemorate the Islamic festival, Atawewe described Eid-El-Kabir as a sacred season that emphasizes faith, obedience, sacrifice, and love for humanity.

> “Eid-El-Kabir reminds us of the unwavering devotion of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and the importance of humility, selflessness, and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah,” he said.

 

He urged Nigerians, regardless of their religious or ethnic backgrounds, to use the occasion to promote peace, unity, and compassion in their communities.

> “This celebration is beyond the slaughtering of rams or sharing of meals—it is a time to renew our connection with Allah and strengthen our bond as one people. Let us extend kindness to the less privileged and continue to pray for our country’s peace and progress,” Atawewe added.

 

The Fuji artist also expressed deep appreciation to his fans and supporters for their unwavering loyalty over the years, assuring them of his continued commitment to promoting positive values and rich cultural heritage through music.

He concluded his message with his signature phrase, “Etu O Si, Oba O Je,” which underscores the values of respect, humility, and cultural pride.

“May this Eid bring blessings to our homes, joy to our hearts, and peace to our land. Eid Mubarak!” he said.

FLOUTING CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS, DEFYING COURT ORDERS, AND DISREGARDING ARBITRATION: THE FACTS BEHIND HADIZA BALA USMAN’S ABUSE OF OFFICE AS NPA MD

By BUA Group | May 31, 2025

 

 

We have noted recent public statements made by Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), who was sacked from office. In her comments, she accused BUA Group and our Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, of breaching a concession agreement and distorting facts. These claims were made in response to our Chairman’s interview and article, “Two Years of President Tinubu: A Business Perspective” (watch at https://bit.ly/pbatbua), which celebrated Nigeria’s reform trajectory and referenced prior instances of arbitrary disruptions to business operations, without naming anyone – a situation that has now been curtailed by President Tinubu’s no-nonsense approach to bringing sanity and stability to the business environment in Nigeria.

 

 

Ordinarily, we would not engage, but the distortions in her response necessitate this factual clarification, especially as they relate to her actions during her tenure as MD of the NPA.

 

THE CONTRACT AND WHAT SHE OMITTED

In 2006,

BUA entered into a valid long lease agreement with the NPA to rehabilitate and operate Terminal B at Rivers Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Long before Ms. Usman’s appointment, BUA had begun formal engagement with the NPA to address outstanding remedial works and infrastructural deficiencies. These discussions were nearing their conclusion when she assumed office.

 

 

Rather than build on that process, Ms. Usman ignored BUA’s requests and obligations under the agreement. In 2016, BUA wrote to the NPA under Article 8.4 of the lease, mandating concessionaires to report environmental and safety concerns and to seek approval for remedial works. Rather than act constructively, Ms. Usman used that letter as a pretext to issue a termination notice and summarily shut down the terminal, without providing any prior warning, consultation, or invoking the dispute resolution clause.

 

 

She forgot or failed to disclose in her response that the NPA, under her leadership, was itself in material breach of core obligations including, failing to hand over critical portions of the port, leaving derelict iron ore on the berths, failing to dredge or repair quay walls, and neglecting to provide mandatory security. These lapses were significant impediments to BUA’s operations and, as a result, led to disputes between the parties.

 

 

ILLEGALITY, CONTEMPT, AND DISREGARD FOR CONTRACTUAL MECHANISMS

 

After the unlawful termination, BUA approached the Federal High Court, which promptly granted an injunction restraining the NPA from proceeding with termination. The NPA itself then referred the dispute to arbitration, as stipulated in Section 17.3 of the agreement, which clearly states:

 

“Any dispute, controversy or claim… shall be exclusively and finally settled under the dispute resolution process prescribed in this Article.”

 

Despite this, Ms. Usman, against the advice of her agency, unilaterally decommissioned the berths, thereby violating both the agreement and a court injunction. To be clear, the concession agreement granted her no such power to decommission. If she believes otherwise, we invite her to publicly cite the specific clause that authorizes this action.

 

 

To further compound the illegality, BUA, after providing the guarantees and indemnities requested by the NPA, was permitted to resume operations briefly. Merely three weeks later, the terminal was again shut down, this time by Ms. Usman’s instruction. This left no doubt that her actions were motivated not by due process, but by personal animosity and abuse of office.

 

 

BUA subsequently filed contempt proceedings and was looking at estimated losses of over $10 million. These proceedings were only withdrawn out of respect for national interest and following the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians within and outside the government.

 

PRESIDENT BUHARI WAS NOT MISINFORMED—HE ACTED ON FACTS AND LAW

 

Ms. Usman’s claim that former President Muhammadu Buhari was “misinformed” when he reversed her actions is false, disrespectful, and disingenuous.

 

Following a meeting that our Chairman had the privilege of holding with President Buhari in 2018, he presented the matter to the President, who then directed the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to conduct a thorough legal review and investigate the situation. The AGF invited all parties, including Ms. Usman, to several meetings. We never saw her at any of them.

 

Nevertheless, the AGF proceeded to undertake a comprehensive review of the contract, the litigation, the arbitration clause, and all correspondence and actions by BUA and NPA. The legal advice (attached herewith) found that the termination was unlawful, the decommissioning was without any legal basis, and that BUA’s rights should be reinstated.

 

It was on this basis that President Buhari ordered the reversal of her unlawful actions. His intervention preserved the sanctity of the contract, saved over 4,000 jobs, and BUA’s $500 million integrated investment cluster involving flour, pasta, and sugar processing facilities, which were all dependent on terminal access. For this, we remain deeply grateful to former President Buhari.

 

As our Chairman said in his interview, imagine if he weren’t privileged to have access. Nonetheless, this culture of impunity has been significantly curtailed under President Tinubu’s leadership, as many are aware that they could be dismissed or imprisoned if they abuse their positions.

 

POST-HADIZA: DUE PROCESS RESTORED, INVESTMENT RESUMED

 

Following Ms. Usman’s removal from office, the NPA, under new leadership, implemented the AGF’s position. In 2022, BUA was granted formal approval to resume reconstruction works. The contract was awarded to TREVI, and BUA has since invested over $65 million—entirely self-funded and with no recourse to public funds or subsidies. Work is ongoing, and completion is expected in the first quarter of 2026.

 

THE REAL DANGER: INVESTOR CONFIDENCE AND THE RULE OF LAW

 

We must state clearly that this matter goes beyond BUA. Had Ms. Usman’s actions been allowed to stand, it would have sent a disastrous signal that contracts in Nigeria are worthless, court orders are optional, and public institutions or individuals can act unilaterally without consequence. We must never return to that era.

 

 

Nigeria’s reform success today is rooted in respecting contracts, due process, and investor confidence—principles being restored under President Tinubu’s administration, under which BUA has committed over $1 billion in new investments across energy, food processing, manufacturing, infrastructure, and social interventions.

 

 

We wish to emphasise that Ms. Usman is entitled to her opinions, irrespective of how distorted they may be. However, she is not entitled to distort the facts or rewrite history. We do not seek a public spat and would like her to concentrate on fulfilling her duties in her new role under the strong leadership of President Tinubu.

 

 

We therefore simply restate the facts that Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman had no authority to decommission Terminal B unilaterally. She also acted in defiance of a court injunction and contractual procedure, and her actions caused significant economic loss of over USD10 million, reputational risk to BUA, and investor concern for Nigeria.

 

Our core message remains the same: public office should be viewed as a position of trust rather than a platform for personal biases. Those granted public power need to resist the temptation to let prejudice, ego, and vendetta influence their actions.

 

If Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman believes she acted lawfully, we challenge her to cite the specific clause or clauses that guided her unlawful actions. If not, let the facts remain where they belong — in the public record.

 

Signed,
BUA Group
May 31, 2025