Alia
LAGOS – Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, the Governor of Benue State, has stated that his administration requires assistance to effectively combat the Fulani herdsmen who are perpetrating attacks, instilling fear, and taking lives among local residents.
The governor stated during an interview on Arise TV on Wednesday that Fulani herdsmen from another nation, collaborating with Nigerian locals, have made up their minds to carry out killings and take over Benue.
He stated, “Absolute backing is essential; the Federal Government provided their support and dispatched two armored tanks. Given our current circumstances, we now possess a stronger storyline. However, our primary objective should be facilitating the return of our citizens so they can expel these intruders—the armed herdsmen who have introduced individuals unfamiliar with the Nigerian tongue. These newcomers must retreat to their place of origin. Our urgent requirement is assistance; thus far, we’ve made efforts.”
We require assistance to make sure we can repel these individuals. Should we rely solely on our elderly community members here, their response would be that they prefer the police and military stay away as they believe they can handle protection themselves. However, should events like massacres, sieges, or intentional attacks occur with the aim of causing fatalities, occupation, or conquest, then clearly such matters exceed their capabilities.
He stated, “It has been confirmed that the armed Fulani herdsmen entered and launched an assault against us. Previously, they would invade, seize territory, and upon our intervention to drive them away, they retreated. Now, additional fighters have been mobilized by these herdsmen supporters of the assailants with the intent to enter, eliminate, dominate, and take control.”
“The armed Fulanis, the terrorists, the murderers, the bandits are killing us. These are armed Fulanis who came in and they have a stronger support of people who now come without the cattle and they combined forces to attack us.”
As they move forward, he stated, “The Six Local Government Areas are at the forefront. Our current efforts are commendable, yet additional assistance is necessary. I urge the Federal Government to provide us with three mobile police units for our volatile border regions—Taraba, Nasarawa—and those along Cameroon’s frontier. Additionally, consider establishing a long-term strategy involving a forward operating base specifically within these three zones. Leveraging our internal resources and arrangements, we will drive out the murderers, killers, terrorists, and armed herders.”
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