Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has accused some serving members of the National Assembly of orchestrating and funding violent attacks across communities in the state.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, the governor expressed deep concern over what he described as an “unsettling” situation. While he stopped short of naming the individuals involved, Governor Alia disclosed that an interim report from a judicial panel he established had implicated several high-profile figures.
“It is very, very unsettling because top politicians who are very functional and are in the National Assembly and are in Abuja, are the architects and arrowheads of not just instigating, but harbouring and keeping these people and feeding them in the bushes, and taking care of all their needs and buying all the other gadgets for them,” he said.
Calling the situation “extremely unacceptable,” Alia emphasized his commitment to protecting the lives of ordinary citizens, stating, “If they do not love the lives of the people and they’re only fighting for their own position, I think I am serving the interest of the common masses and it is a concern to me, and it is my right to protect it.”
Governor Alia revealed that the full report from the judicial panel is expected early next week and pledged to act decisively based on its findings.
This development follows a recent wave of violence in the state, including a fresh attack on the Makurdi–Naka road by suspected armed herdsmen. Multiple fatalities were reported, with the area said to be under the control of armed Fulani militia groups for several weeks despite repeated military assurances.