Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has raised alarm over what he described as a full-scale siege by terrorists, stating that the rising wave of violence across the state goes far beyond the widely held narrative of herders-farmers clashes.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Friday night, Governor Alia painted a grim picture of the situation, describing the attacks as “planned and executed” acts of terrorism. He said the persistent killings, which have intensified in recent weeks across several local government areas in the North-Central state, are systematic and coordinated.
“We are under siege,” he declared. “The way these attacks come and the intelligence we receive, 60 to 65 percent of which turns out to be accurate, suggests that they are not random. These are not just ethnic or communal clashes. These are calculated acts of terrorism.”
Governor Alia noted that the pattern of attacks, often carried out in the dead of night and with no suspects apprehended, indicates a sophisticated level of coordination. “They hit, they run, and they leave no trace. These are not ordinary criminals. These are specialized killers,” he said.
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In a startling revelation, the governor accused certain politicians currently serving in the National Assembly of playing a role in the violence. According to him, an interim report from a judicial panel established by his administration has linked prominent figures to the funding and harboring of armed groups terrorizing the state.
“Some of the people indicted in the interim report are influential politicians based in Abuja. They are allegedly responsible for instigating, funding, and equipping these criminals,” Alia stated. “This is extremely unacceptable. If they are fighting for political power at the expense of innocent lives, then they have no place in public service.”
The governor expressed his determination to act swiftly once the panel submits its full report, expected between Tuesday and Wednesday of the coming week. “I am committed to the safety and well-being of the people of Benue State. When the final report is submitted, we will take decisive action,” he affirmed.
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