Makurdi: Governor Hyacinth Alia has sounded the alarm over what he describes as a full-blown siege in Benue state, following a wave of coordinated attacks by suspected armed herdsmen that have left at least 72 people dead in recent days.
The governor’s grim revelation came in the aftermath of brutal assaults carried out over Holy Thursday and Good Friday across Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas (LGAs). According to local sources, the attackers, many of whom arrived on motorbikes, killed dozens of residents, torched homes, and left communities in ruins.
These are not random attacks. We are under siege as a state, Governor Alia stated during a press briefing in Makurdi.
Those who are attacking us have a purpose. They come in, they kill, and they occupy. This is organized violence, and it is utterly unacceptable.
The carnage in Ukum and Logo LGAs follows earlier deadly incidents in Otukpo LGA, specifically in the communities of Ikobi, Asa 2, Otobi-Akpa, Emichi, Okpomaju, and Odudaje, where approximately 30 people were killed and several more injured. Communities in Kwande LGA have also come under consistent attack in recent weeks.
Adding to the concern, three more corpses were reportedly recovered near the Katsina-Ala axis just last night, further reinforcing fears of a systematic effort to displace and dominate indigenous populations.
These are terrorists, plain and simple, Governor Alia declared. It doesn’t matter their ethnicity or religion.
Criminality is criminality. We believe this is a calculated land grab effort disguised as communal violence.
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He urged the Federal Government to step up its intervention and provide immediate security reinforcements to stem the bloodshed.
The governor stressed that while the state government is doing all it can, the scale and intensity of the attacks require a federal-level response and support.
“Our people cannot continue to live in fear. We need decisive and sustained military action to protect lives and reclaim our communities, he said.
Governor Alia also issued a call to action for residents across the state to support security efforts by being vigilant and proactive.
“If you see something, say something, he advised. Only with timely information can our security operatives act effectively to prevent further tragedy.
He pledged that his administration will prioritize restoring peace and security, especially in the five LGAs most affected by the violence.
The spate of killings and displacements has once again thrust Benue into the national spotlight, raising urgent questions about land disputes, transborder herding practices, and the overall security architecture in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
