Abiodun Essiet Benue peace mission highlights government efforts to restore stability in violence-hit communities
Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Community Engagement for the North Central region, visited Kwande Local Government Area in Benue State on Friday, March 13, 2026, to assess recent attacks and reassure residents of federal government efforts to restore lasting peace.
During the visit, Essiet met with officials from the Department of State Services and the commander of Operation Whirl Stroke to discuss complaints regarding delayed security responses and trust issues reported by local residents.
“They briefed me thoroughly and explained the circumstances. We know how painful and difficult this situation is for your communities. My visit today is to personally observe what is happening and to accurately relay your concerns to the President,” Essiet said.
The presidential aide emphasised that the Nigerian Army remains impartial and committed to protecting lives and property.
“I want to assure you that the military will always remain neutral. They are committed to protecting citizens and will not support or arm any group. I urge everyone to remain patient as the government continues to implement measures to strengthen security,” she added.
Essiet also highlighted the importance of collaboration between federal and state governments in managing natural resources in the region.
She promised to convey community concerns to the relevant minister and urged that legitimate mining operations and corporate social responsibility initiatives benefit local residents through education, infrastructure development, and essential social services.
“These efforts are part of a broader national plan, under which the Community Engagement Office was created to strengthen communication between the government and citizens across the North Central region,” Essiet said.
She concluded her visit by encouraging residents to continue sharing their concerns, stressing that open dialogue is crucial for timely and effective government response.
“When you speak out, we are able to understand your challenges and take action. But if communication stops, it becomes difficult for us to respond effectively,” she added.
Fresh concerns have emerged over compliance with a court order issued by the High Court of Kano State on April 8, 2026, restraining key parties—including the Honourable Minister of Education, the Kano State Ministry of Land and Physical Planning, the Kano State Urban Development Authority, and Pluck Global Company Limited—from further actions pending the determination of the matter before the court.
Findings indicate that while all parties—except the concessionaire, Pluck Global Company Limited—were duly served within two days of the order, significant challenges were encountered in effecting service on the company, raising troubling questions about its corporate traceability and regulatory vetting.
A review of the company’s records filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) revealed addresses that could not be verified as functional business locations. Notably, documentation submitted to Federal Government College (FGC), Kano, dated June 20, 2024, listed two addresses: 8B, Lalupon Street, off Keffi Street, off Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, as its head office, and 3 Bargery Road, Bompai, Kano, as its branch office.
However, a physical visit to the Ikoyi address revealed that the entire property is occupied by a company identified as Golden Alchemy, whose staff категорically denied any knowledge of, or shared occupancy with, Pluck Global Company Limited.
Efforts to trace the Kano address yielded even more unsettling findings. The location—a locked duplex—showed no visible signs of commercial activity. Neighbours, while reluctant to speak on record, alluded to irregular movements at odd hours, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of the premises as a corporate office.
In a twist, after multiple attempts to establish contact, an individual purportedly representing the company surfaced in Kano and agreed to receive and acknowledge the court order on April 11, 2026, at approximately 6:00 pm. Curiously, the Ikoyi address—already discredited—was again listed as the company’s official address in the acknowledgment.
These developments raise critical questions regarding due diligence and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols on the part of the Federal Ministry of Education. They also cast a spotlight on the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), should a concession agreement indeed have been executed with the company. Stakeholders say it would be instructive to review the addresses contained in all official correspondences and contractual documents linked to the transaction.
Meanwhile, a visit to the premises of Federal Government College, Kano, revealed ongoing construction activity, with workers observed excavating foundations. When approached, the workers declined to disclose the authority under which they were operating—despite the subsistence of a court order restraining further action.
Notably, a previously installed project billboard bearing the insignia of the school authorities and the Federal Ministry of Education had been removed. Sources within the institution suggest that the directive for its removal may have emanated from the Ministry following receipt of the court order.
The unfolding situation presents a complex mix of legal, regulatory, and accountability issues—raising the spectre of possible non-compliance with judicial directives, as well as deeper concerns about transparency in public-private concession arrangements.
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