Killings in Benue may be reprisal attacks from herders – Gov Alia

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has said that the recent deadly attacks in parts of the state may be reprisal assaults carried out by suspected armed herders using well-known infiltration routes from neighbouring Nasarawa State.

Governor Alia made this disclosure during an interview with Channels Television, where he responded to a comment by President Bola Tinubu, who had earlier described the Benue violence as retaliatory in nature.

According to the governor, intelligence reports confirm that many of the attackers are operating from hideouts within Nasarawa territory.

“When you come to the Nasarawa axis, that’s where we’re facing major challenges. We have confirmed that a number of them are hiding within Nasarawa State,” Alia said.

He explained that these armed groups often exploit familiar paths to cross into Benue, especially after being pushed out from other areas.

“So, anytime they are driven from one location, they simply relocate to another. If someone calls what’s happening reprisal attacks, I wouldn’t entirely disagree,” the governor noted.

Alia further revealed that he had initiated discussions with the Governor of Nasarawa State to strengthen intelligence-sharing and coordinated security action between the two states.

“I asked if he had any fresh intelligence we could work with. He confirmed that the terrorists passed through his territory and entered Yelewata to carry out the recent attack. He also mentioned that a woman was attacked and macheted in Nasarawa,” Alia said.

The governor’s remarks come amid mounting national concern and calls for decisive security interventions following renewed waves of killings in Benue communities.