Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has said that armed herders attacking communities in the state are now working with foreign terrorists in a plan to take over people’s lands.
Speaking on Arise Television on Wednesday, Alia described the situation as more than just farmer-herder clashes, calling it “a full siege on the state.”
He said, “The best way to explain what we are facing now is to say Benue is under siege. These are not just ordinary herders. They are heavily armed people with a clear plan—to kill and take over land.”
The governor explained that in the past, herders would attack villages and move on. But now, they come without cattle, hide in the bush for weeks, attack, and later bring their people to settle on the land.
“These attacks are well-planned,” he said. “They use AK-47 and AK-49 rifles. They don’t even speak Nigerian languages, and many of them don’t look like Nigerians.”
Alia said that the goal of these armed groups is to kill and take over land from the original owners.
“The attacks we have experienced are very deliberate and so calculated with the aim to come, kill and landgrab,” he stated.
He also shared what the Benue government has done to fight the attacks. According to him, they bought 100 Hilux vehicles and 600 motorbikes for security agencies. A joint task force has also been put in place.
But despite the efforts, the violence is still too much.
“What we need is an emergency of help now,” Alia said. “We can’t even go to our farms. Our people are suffering and some are ready to defend themselves because there is little more we can do.”
He said that when he took office, almost all 23 local government areas in Benue were affected by attacks. But through hard work, the number dropped to nine. However, six of those are now back under serious threat.
Alia also blamed some politicians for using the crisis for their own benefit. “They don’t even come to the field. They stay wherever they are and tell a different story. Meanwhile, our people are dying,” he said.
He called on security agencies to find and expose those supporting the attackers.
“Once they bring this out, we are going to publish,” he warned.
