Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia, has accused unnamed politicians and members of the National Assembly of sponsoring violent attacks in the state.
Although he did not name the politicians, the governor said the attacks were well planned and executed by terrorists and that an interim report of a judicial panel he set up indicted many big names.
He alleged that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume and his associates had not spoken out or taken action on the wave of killings and violence, particularly in the Sankera region.
But, in a swift reaction, the Office of the SGF refuted claims that Akume has remained silent or inactive in the face of insecurity plaguing the state.
Alia vowed to take up the matter as soon as he receives the full report later this week.
Hundreds of people have been killed in violent attacks in several communities in Benue State.
Speaking during a television interview on Friday night, Governor Alia said an interim report of a judicial panel he set up showed that politicians were orchestrating the attacks.
He said the state was under siege from terrorists and bandits, adding that the recent attacks that claimed several lives was beyond herders-farmers clash.
Alia added that he would take decisive action once the full report of the panel is presented later this week.
He said the attacks are beyond herder-farmer clashes, adding that the state is currently under siege from bandits.
“We are under siege,” Governor Alia said on the programme when asked if he thought the state was under terror attack.
“The way these attacks come and the intel we receive, it is a directed calibrated plan and then executed. On a daily basis we are receiving that intel. Of late, each of those intel we receive, 60 to 65 per cent of it is quite accurate,” he added.
The governor noted that he no longer viewed the attacks as a clash between farmers and herders, stating that they now involve specialized killers—terrorists who engage in a form of guerrilla warfare.
“And then when you realise what is going on, it is beyond just conflict, it is beyond just an ethnic fight between herders and farmers in our state, it is directed, it is planned and then it is executed, it is some terrorism.
“For some reason, none of them is ever caught, they come in in the thick of the night, hit, run and nobody sees a trace. So, it is some terrorism that is eating us up,” he said.
“We set up a judicial panel to sort out for us why we kept having attacks from within and from without and we have received an interim report. Between Tuesday and Wednesday next week, I am going to get a full report from the panel,” Alia said.
“It is very unsettling because some 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; keeping them in the bushes and taking care of all their bills and buying all the gadgets for them.
“This is extremely unacceptable. If they do not like the lives of the people and are fighting for their own political position, I think I am serving the interest of the common masses and it is my right to protect them,” Alia explained.
“We are under siege, the way these attacks come and the intel we receive, it is a directed, calibrated plan and then executed.
“So, once we receive this report the coming week, we are going to take it up and take it seriously,” he added.
However, the Office of the SGF yesterday refuted the claims that Akume had remained silent or inactive in the face of insecurity plaguing the state.
Reacting to the governor’s remarks in a statement, the Special Adviser on Public Affairs in the SGF’s Office, Terrence Kuanum, described the accusations as misleading and lacking a full appreciation of the workings of federal administrative processes.
“It is the official policy of the SGF not to be drawn into public controversies, especially on matters as sensitive as national security. However, the statement made by the governor compels a necessary clarification,” Kuanum said.
According to the SGF’s office, Akume has consistently worked, both within and beyond the scope of his official duties, to ensure the issue of insecurity in Benue and other parts of the country receives attention from President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council.
Kuanum stated that expecting the SGF to regularly appear in the media to discuss security efforts is a misunderstanding of his role.
“His actions are more asymmetrical but equally effective. His responsibilities are channeled through internal mechanisms of governance and communication,” he explained.
The statement also defended the National Assembly members from Benue State, who the governor has allegedly branded as Akume’s cronies.
Kuanum highlighted the efforts of Senators Titus Zam and Emmanuel Udende, as well as House members, in consistently raising motions on the worsening insecurity in Benue.
“These motions have contributed significantly to drawing federal attention to the region’s crisis,” he noted.
On the governor’s claims regarding the panel of inquiry report, the SGF’s office reminded him of due administrative processes, including the vetting and issuance of a government’s White Paper, which must precede public conclusions or accusations.
“If Governor Alia has credible evidence implicating individuals in Abuja, he should forward their names to the President and the Federal Security Council. Making such disclosures public without following due process could pose national security concerns,” Kuanum warned.
The SGF’s office further advised the governor to adopt a more inclusive and grassroots-based approach in addressing security challenges, urging a clear and consistent position on the actual sources of insecurity — whether internal actors, foreign terrorists, or both.
Wale Igbintade
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