FIC Report (Benue State) – The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), under the Ministry of Humanitarian and Emergency Management, has launched the first sub-national Electronic Emergency Management Portal in Nigeria. The official unveiling took place on Monday, 4th August 2025, at the SEMA office in Makurdi.
While addressing journalists, the Executive Secretary of BSEMA, Sir James Iorpuu, described the complaint portal — https://sema.benuestate.ng/complaints-petition — as a 24/7 interactive platform that enables citizens to instantly report emergency situations across the state, and SEMA website https://sema/benuestate.gov.ng among other social media handles. He emphasized that the innovation is aimed at providing smarter and more responsive emergency coordination for Benue residents.
Sir Iorpuu also revealed that SEMA, in collaboration with the Benue Digital Infrastructure Company (BDIC), has introduced drone technology to monitor and capture real-time emergency events. He urged the public to make use of the platform to report emergencies promptly and accurately. He further noted that Benue remains a flood-prone state, and that sensitization jingles have been aired, advising residents in high-risk areas to relocate to safer zones.
Speaking at the event, the Head of BDIC, Mr. Terwase Gbande, explained that the newly deployed drones are capable of covering up to 150 kilometers, and will be instrumental in surveying Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and remote areas. He added that the portal is accessible from any location worldwide.
Also present was the Chairman of the Benue State House of Assembly Committee on Digital Infrastructure, Hon. Kennedy Angbo, who praised the initiative as timely and strategic, especially as the state grapples with increasing security challenges. He noted that the portal will provide citizens with a credible and direct channel to raise security-related concerns.
Representing the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, was the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Dcns. Serumun Deborah Aber, who commended BSEMA and all collaborating agencies for the innovative milestone. She highlighted that security and safety are a central focus of the Governor’s Seven-Point Agenda, affirming the administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity head-on.
She cautioned social media users against misusing the platform, urging the public to employ it responsibly and ethically in ways that could save lives and improve emergency response across the state.
Signed
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Center, FIC Makurdi
