Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has alleged that certain serving members of the National Assembly are behind the recent spate of violent attacks on communities across the state.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired on Friday, the governor described the situation as deeply troubling and unacceptable.
Although he refrained from naming the individuals involved, Alia revealed that an interim report from a judicial panel of inquiry he set up had indicted several prominent figures. He added that he expects to receive the panel’s full report early next week and pledged to act decisively.
“It is very unsettling. Top politicians who are active in Abuja and currently serving in the National Assembly are the masterminds; not just instigating these attacks, but also sheltering, feeding, and equipping the perpetrators hiding in the bushes,” Alia said.
“This is extremely unacceptable. If they don’t value the people’s lives and are only focused on their personal ambitions, then I, as governor, have a duty to stand for the ordinary citizens and defend their rights,” he added.
According to the governor, the judicial panel was established to investigate the causes of persistent attacks within and outside the state’s borders.
His comments come amid fresh violence in the state. On Friday, several people were feared dead and others injured following a suspected attack by armed herdsmen along the Makurdi–Naka road. The area has reportedly remained under the control of armed Fulani militia groups for weeks, despite repeated military assurances of restoring order.
