Benue: Governor Alia Accuses National Assembly Members of Sponsoring Community Attacks

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has alleged that some current politicians serving in Nigeria’s National Assembly are behind the recurring attacks across various communities in the state.

During an interview on Politics Today, a programme aired by Channels Television, the governor described the situation as completely intolerable. According to Alia, a judicial panel he constituted to investigate the violent incidents has produced an interim report implicating several high-profile individuals—although he refrained from disclosing any names at this stage.

The governor emphasized his determination to address the findings head-on as soon as he receives the panel’s comprehensive report within the coming week.

“The situation is deeply disturbing. Senior political figures who are actively involved in legislative duties in Abuja are not only instigating these acts but are also harbouring the perpetrators. They are allegedly offering them shelter, sustaining them in the forests, and supplying necessary materials and tools,” Alia revealed.

“This conduct is absolutely unacceptable. If their political ambition outweighs their concern for human lives, I will prioritize the welfare of the ordinary citizens, as it is both a duty and a responsibility I owe them.”

Governor Alia further explained that the judicial panel was established specifically to uncover the root causes of the consistent and escalating violence in the state. He confirmed that an interim report had already been submitted and indicated that the final report would be in his hands by Tuesday or Wednesday of the following week.

In a related development, tragedy struck again on Friday as numerous people were reported dead and several others sustained injuries following a fresh onslaught by armed herdsmen on the Makurdi–Naka road.

Despite repeated assurances from security agencies, the Makurdi–Naka axis reportedly remains under the persistent threat of armed Fulani militia groups, who have held sway in the area for several weeks.