Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has dismissed claims that the Federal Government has neglected the security crisis in the state, affirming that concerted efforts have significantly reduced the number of local government areas (LGAs) under siege from 17 to just 3.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Governor Alia highlighted the federal government’s crucial support in tackling the wave of violent attacks that have plagued Benue, a key food-producing state in Nigeria’s North-Central region.
“If President Bola Tinubu were unaware of the situation, he wouldn’t be providing us with full support,” Alia said. “Seventeen LGAs out of 23 were under siege. We fought the attacks down to nine, then six, and now only three remain affected. This progress is due to the Federal Government’s full backing.”
The governor revealed that following recent severe attacks, three security units were deployed to Benue, resulting in a major shift that forced armed groups out of occupied areas.
Benue has long suffered from violent clashes linked to inter-communal conflicts and fierce competition over land between indigenous farming communities and nomadic herders. However, recent months have seen an alarming escalation in attacks and fatalities.
On June 15, 2025, suspected herdsmen killed at least 59 residents, including military and civil defense personnel, during a night assault on Yelewata community. Earlier, in April, about 60 people lost their lives in attacks across Ukum and Logo LGAs, with May seeing at least 42 deaths in Gwer West LGA.
Governor Alia acknowledged the profound suffering endured by victims’ families, displaced persons, and farmers who lost their lands. Nevertheless, he reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment, citing a recent site visit by Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede as evidence of ongoing support.
Reflecting on the evolving nature of the crisis, Alia noted a troubling trend. “Initially, this was a farmer-herder conflict, but it has escalated to ‘armed herders’ — men carrying AK-47s and AK-49s who attack without cattle,” he explained. “They come to kill and disappear, leaving the community in terror.”
Alia also addressed suspicions of internal collusion with the attackers. “It’s possible some locals have been recruited into the militia, as some names have emerged. Bandits often cannot operate in a community without inside help.”
The governor further blamed the porous borders shared with Cameroon, Taraba, and Nasarawa States for complicating security efforts. “Many of the attackers enter from these borders and are not necessarily local Hausa or Fulani as commonly assumed,” he said.
Discussing coordination with neighboring states, Alia recounted his conversation with Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule, who reported intelligence suggesting militants cross into his state through Benue. “After the attack in Yelewata, one person was reportedly macheted in Nasarawa, likely linked to these cross-border movements.”
Opposition figures, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have criticized the government’s handling of the crisis, urging President Tinubu’s administration to fulfill its constitutional responsibility to protect Nigerians.
Despite the challenges, Governor Alia’s message underscores a degree of progress amid a complex and violent security landscape, emphasizing ongoing federal support as key to restoring peace in Benue.
