Governor of Benue, Hyacinth Alia, has alleged that armed herders, who enter the state without cattle, are responsible for recent violent attacks. He made this statement during an appearance on Channels Television following an incident in which armed invaders attacked the Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area, resulting in the deaths of no fewer than 100 people.
In response to the attacks, youth from Yelwata blocked the Lafia-Makurdi highway in protest, which continued into the capital city of Makurdi where police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.
When asked about the attackers’ identity, Governor Alia highlighted the significance of recognizing the nature of the threat. He noted that these herders arrive armed with AK-47s and AK-49s, and after conducting attacks and killings, new groups often move into the affected areas.
Alia remarked on the shift in the nature of the crisis, stating that while previous issues were framed as farmers/herders conflicts, they have escalated to include armed groups that do not bring cattle. He described the current situation as one where armed herders have hijacked the crisis, allowing bandits and terrorists to infiltrate.
He concluded by emphasizing that the dynamics on the ground reveal a troubling reality, suggesting that the presence of armed herders is a significant factor in the ongoing violence in the region.
