The governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, has declared that the state is under siege from terrorists and bandits, insisting that recent deadly attacks go far beyond the usual herders-farmers conflict.
In recent weeks, the North-Central state has witnessed a surge in violent attacks across several local government areas, claiming numerous lives. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Governor Alia described the assaults as well-planned operations carried out by terrorists.
“We are under siege,” Alia said emphatically. “The way these attacks unfold and the intelligence we receive indicate a deliberate, calibrated plan that is executed with precision. On a daily basis, 60 to 65 percent of the intelligence we get proves accurate.”
He stressed that the violence is no longer merely an ethnic or communal clash but a coordinated terror campaign. “It’s beyond just a herders-farmers conflict. These are terrorists employing guerrilla tactics—striking under the cover of night, disappearing without a trace,” he added.
Politicians allegedly fueling the violence
Governor Alia also accused some serving politicians in the National Assembly of sponsoring the violence in Benue. Although he withheld names, he revealed that a judicial panel he commissioned had identified prominent figures involved in instigating and supporting the attacks.
“We set up a judicial panel to investigate the source of these attacks, both internal and external. We have received an interim report and expect the full findings next week,” he said.
Alia charged, “Some politicians based in Abuja are not just instigators but are harbouring these criminals—providing them shelter, funding, and equipment. This is utterly unacceptable. If their fight for political power means sacrificing the lives of our people, I will stand in defense of the common masses.”
He vowed to act decisively once the full report is submitted. “When we get the complete report next week, we will take serious action.”
