ALIA REMAINS SILENT AS HERDERS KILL SECURITY MEN, OTHERS IN BENUE
…The Governor has abandoned the people to be slaughtered by herders
The Network for Transparent Governance (NTG) condemns in strong terms the grievous inaction and alarming disposition of the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, in relation to the recent killing of nearly 20 security personnel and defenseless civilians in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of the state. The security personnel, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Danlami Usman, popularly known as “Dan Zuru,” were moving into the area to flush out armed herdsmen when they were ambushed.
The attack did not only claim many lives; it also left many others missing or injured.
Sadly, Governor Alia has neither condemned the mindless attacks nor shown concern by offering sympathy to the families of the victims. This silence is not only disheartening; it is unacceptable and indefensible for a governor who bears the constitutional duty to safeguard lives and property in the state.
It is obvious to all to see that Governor Alia has abdicated his duty as the Chief Security Officer of Benue State. He is not bothered that Fulani terrorists are killing innocent people on a daily basis. It was part of his deal with Fulani who gave him N7 billion for campaign after he took an oath to protect their interests in the state.
The Governor’s deliberate neglect of victims of Fulani attacks in the state has deprived grieving families of dignity in mourning and undermined morale among those standing to protect the state. Whenever Alia is alerted about attacks or killings across the state, he shows no sign of concern.
Governor Alia, a Catholic priest who abandoned his calling and greedily jumped into politics to become a wealthy man, has sold his people and his conscience! He has stained the priestly cassock and no amount of water with detergent can remove the stain. Alia has blood on his hands—the blood of innocent Benue people. Those who are being killed die knowing that they have been betrayed by a man they voted into power. Many of the victims of Fulani attacks voted for Alia in 2023 because he deceived them into believing that he would protect them.
Miyetti Allah and Fulani Nationality Movement (FUNAM), as well as several other Fulani groups, have at different times publicly expressed their satisfaction and commendation of Governor Alia for doing exactly what he promised he would do for the Fulani in Benue State.
Fulani terrorists have taken over more than 18 local government areas in Benue State, yet Governor Alia constantly claims that only two local governments are under attack. The people of Benue State can no longer access their ancestral homes. More than two million people have been displaced under Alia’s watch, with IDP camps swelling, yet the governor remains unconcerned. He promised to return the IDPs to their ancestral lands within his first 100 days in office, but he failed to do so.
Governor Alia should know that the people of Benue State have carefully observed his actions, utterances, and repeated insults. He has branded our people as cattle rustlers and killers of their loved ones. At the appropriate time, we, the people, will respond to him in the language he will understand!
Signed:
Dennis Agema
President, Network for Transparent Governance (NTG)
Oliver Omenka
Secretary General, NTG
