Gov Alia goes missing as Fulani terrorists attack more Benue communities
…Armed herders shoot Catholic priest in Gwer West
Benue State is currently facing a severe security crisis, with reports of armed Fulani herdsmen carrying out violent attacks and slaughtering residents in various parts of the state. Amid this turmoil, Governor Hyacinth Alia has reportedly been absent, sparking widespread concern and criticism from the public.
GOV ALIA DANCES SHARO ON GRAVES OF SLAUGHTERED BENUE PEOPLE
According to a statement jointly signed by Dennis Agema, President Network for Transparent Governance (NTG) and Oliver Omenka, Secretary General, Earlier this morning (25th May, 2025), the Council Chairman of Guma Local Government, a strong loyalist of Alia who, like the governor, has been in denial, claiming that there is absolute peace and security in the state, made a post on his Facebook account raising an alarm that armed Fulani herdsmen had attacked his community, Yelewata, and killed some persons. He wrote:
“Yelewata town in my local government under attack by Fulani herdsmen. 3 persons confirmed dead so far…”
Yesterday, Reverend Father Solomon Atongo was shot by armed herders around Tyolaha village on Makurdi-Naka Road in Gwer West Local Government Area. The priest was badly wounded, and two other occupants of the vehicle he was driving were kidnapped by the Fulani terrorists.
No fewer than 50 people have been killed in separate attacks by herdsmen in the last few days in Benue State. In all of these incidents, Governor Alia has neither issued a statement to sympathize with the victims nor taken action to stop the attacks and killings.
Our findings confirm that Fulani attacks in Benue State will not cease anytime soon because the Fulanis are claiming they have a right to take over parts of the state, according to the deal they allegedly struck with Governor Hyacinth Alia during his campaign to become governor.
Fulani elites, reportedly coordinated by former Kaduna governor Nasir El Rufai, allegedly gave Alia N7 billion after he took an oath to protect their interests in Benue State, if elected. This is why, immediately after his swearing-in, Governor Alia introduced what he termed the “integration and coexistence” policy in favor of Fulanis, leading to the return of herders to the state in droves, with thousands of cattle. The killing of innocent Benue people resumed immediately.
Attacks by armed Fulani herders have intensified since Governor Alia assumed office in 2023, leaving hundreds of Benue people dead and displacing about two million. Many communities have been overtaken by Fulani invaders.
Alia’s Call for Akume’s Removal Sparks Outcry from Benue Stakeholders
Eyewitness accounts from most local governments in Benue State indicate that armed Fulani herdsmen are firmly in control. The pastoralists decide who goes where. The Fulani have appointed some of their members as leaders (Ardos) of the occupied communities. Indigenous villagers must pay the herders to access their farms, and they are strictly forbidden from complaining whenever their farms are destroyed by Fulani cattle.
We call on President Bola Tinubu to save our dear state Benue from the hands of Governor Alia and his Fulani conspirators!
