Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, says the state is now under a “security siege” due to fresh attacks by armed invaders.
He made the statement on Easter Sunday during a church service at the Chapel of Grace, Government House, Makurdi.
“We are under siege as a state, we are under attack,” the governor said. “Those who are attacking us must have a face, must have an aim, and must have a drive.”
Alia condemned the violence and described the situation as “extremely unacceptable.”
He said the invaders “drag people out, they kill to occupy,” and warned that Benue people must stay alert.
Benue has recently seen fresh killings in Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas. These areas have suffered frequent violence in recent years, often blamed on armed herders.
The attacks in Holy Week left many dead and several families displaced. Fear now grips many local communities, who say they feel abandoned and unsafe.
Attacks Growing More Frequent
Governor Alia confirmed that the attackers are not unknown. He said they are organized and have clear motives.
“The attackers are not faceless. They want to occupy our land. That is their mission,” he said.
He also urged residents to support security agencies with timely information.
“If you hear something, say something,” he told worshippers. “It will enable the security agents to move out there and repel the invaders.”
According to security experts, these attacks often involve heavily armed groups entering rural villages at night, killing residents, and burning homes.
Benue State lies in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where land conflict between nomadic herders and farming communities has worsened over the past decade.
The state has suffered some of the deadliest attacks in Nigeria, with thousands killed and displaced since 2013.
Governor Alia blamed some politicians for making the crisis worse.
“I invite you politicians to stay clear. Don’t be part of those who are attacking us,” he warned. “We have machinery in place to find out who is a culprit and who is destroying our state.”
Security Summit Coming Soon
To address the crisis, Governor Alia announced plans to host a security summit.
The summit will involve military officers, police, local chiefs, youth leaders, and civil society groups.
The goal is to create lasting peace in affected communities and push for stronger federal government involvement.
On Saturday, Alia publicly asked for full support from President Bola Tinubu’s administration to stop the violence.
The governor also spoke firmly about law and order.
“A terrorist is a terrorist irrespective of his ethnicity or his religion,” he said. “Criminality is criminality, period! Whoever commits it is a terrorist, and he should not be where the living are.”
During his Easter remarks, Alia called on residents to pray for those killed.
“Let us offer prayers, especially for those innocent people who were gruesomely murdered in Ukum and Logo LGAs,” he said.
He added that the message of Easter—the death and resurrection of Christ—should remind everyone of the need for sacrifice and unity.
Alia promised that his administration would do “every length and every strain” to restore peace.
Benue’s long-running insecurity crisis has displaced thousands and ruined local economies. Farming has stopped in many villages. Children can’t go to school. People now live in fear of daily attacks.
The security summit is expected to begin in a few days.
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