GOVERNOR Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has declared the recent wave of violent killings and mass displacement in the state as acts of terrorism, asserting that Benue is “under siege.”
The governor pledged to expose the alleged sponsors of the attacks when he appears before the National Assembly (NASS) this week.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Channels Television from Makurdi, the state capital, last Friday, Governor Alia painted a grim picture of the security situation, tracing the crisis to long-standing communal tensions that have escalated into coordinated armed assaults by militias.
He lamented the rising violence, which has left dozens dead and entire communities displaced.
Escalating Violence and Historical Context
According to Alia, the attacks initially erupted in the Sankera axis — comprising Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo LGAs — where 73 people were killed in a single incident.
Despite government interventions and a brief lull in violence, fresh attacks recently occurred in Gwer West, claiming 33 more lives.
The governor noted that many of these flashpoints have endured insecurity for up to two decades, with Gwer West suffering persistent attacks for nearly a decade.
He explained that the violence began as farmer-herder conflicts, traditionally managed through compensation systems. However, the situation deteriorated into full-blown armed warfare.
“What began with sticks and machetes has now transformed into AK-47 and AK-49-wielding militias attacking without provocation,” Alia said.
Alia disclosed that the nature of the attacks has shifted in recent months — from disputes over grazing and farmland to outright militia invasions. “They just come, fully armed, attack, kill, and displace. When questioned, they claim they have come to live with the people,” he lamented.
Government Efforts and Security Challenges
Despite the setbacks, Governor Alia stated that his administration has taken significant steps to curb the violence, including procuring 100 Hilux trucks and 600 vehicles for security forces and establishing a joint task force. However, as attacks intensified, it became clear that additional manpower and federal support were necessary.
The governor emphasized that the violence not only devastates lives and property but also threatens Nigeria’s food security. Benue, known as the nation’s “food basket,” has seen farmlands abandoned and agricultural activities crippled.
“The affected areas — Sankera, Gwer West, Kwande — are the backbone of yam, rice, and soybean production. If we do not produce, Nigeria will feel the impact,” he warned.
“We Are Under Siege”
When asked if Benue is facing a coordinated terrorist assault, Alia responded unequivocally: “That would be a good caption for it. We are under siege.”
He asserted that the attacks are no longer mere farmer-herder clashes but well-planned acts of terror by specialized killers operating with military precision. “These are terrorists, guerrilla fighters. They come at night, kill, and vanish. None are ever caught,” he said.
The governor confirmed that intelligence reports received by his government are now 60–65% accurate, indicating a high level of coordination among attackers. Many affected areas, including Apa, Agatu, Guma, and Makurdi, border neighbouring states and Cameroon, making them vulnerable to external incursions.
Federal Support and Security Adjustments
While acknowledging his constitutional limitations in directing security agencies, Alia praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the federal government for their support. He highlighted the timely intervention of federal forces after attacks in Logo, Ukum, and Gwer West, which prevented greater casualties.
He also commended the deployment of three mobile police (MOPOL) units and a recent visit by the Chief of Army Staff as signs of renewed federal commitment.
However, the governor noted a troubling pattern: once security forces suppress attacks in one area, the assailants shift to another. “It’s like cancer that migrates,” he said.
Community Defense and Allegations of Complicity
In response to calls for community-based self-defense, Alia revealed that his administration has activated a Civil Protection Guard composed of local civilians. A new joint task force — comprising police, civil defense, military, and justice personnel — has also been inaugurated. “We are now going high-tech. We are midway into our plans and confident that combining efforts will help curb these attacks,” he explained.
On allegations that some military personnel are complicit in the violence, the governor confirmed receiving such complaints. He stated that the Chief of Army Staff had ordered the redeployment of personnel stationed too long in certain areas to reduce the risk of compromise.
Humanitarian Crisis and Political Tensions
When confronted with reports that over 300 lives have been lost in recent months—with ActionAid warning that the humanitarian crisis has surpassed emergency levels—Alia firmly rejected the notion that the attacks are isolated incidents, calling them sustained terrorist assaults.
The governor was also questioned about his political rift with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, with critics suggesting the feud is distracting from security efforts. Alia sidestepped the issue, reiterating his focus on protecting lives and property.
Vows to Expose Attack Sponsors
In a final statement, Governor Alia vowed to reveal the alleged masterminds behind Benue’s violence this week.
“We set up a judicial panel to investigate why we keep suffering attacks from within and outside. The panel has submitted an interim report, and by Tuesday or Wednesday, I will receive the final signed report,” he said.
“It is very unsettling because top politicians — some in the National Assembly and based in Abuja — are the architects of these attacks. They harbour, fund, and supply these militants in the bushes. If they do not care about the people’s lives and are only fighting for political power, I will serve the masses and protect them,” Alia declared.
With the crisis now framed as a threat to national food security and rural stability, all eyes will be on Abuja where Governor Alia’s revelations could mark a turning point in Benue’s fight against terrorism.
