National Assembly members responsible for Benue attacks – Alia

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has accused prominent politicians based in Abuja and the National Assembly of orchestrating and sustaining violent attacks in the state by supporting those responsible for the ongoing crisis.

Governor Alia claimed during an appearance on Politics Today, a program aired on Channels Television on Friday. He described the situation in Benue as deeply troubling and suggested that while these politicians pursue personal interests, he remains focused on defending the lives and welfare of ordinary citizens.

“It is very, very unsettling,” he said. “Top politicians, active in Abuja and the National Assembly, are not just instigating these attacks, they are sheltering the perpetrators, feeding them in the bushes, and supplying them with equipment. This is extremely unacceptable.”

He continued, “If these people don’t value the lives of our citizens and are only fighting for their political relevance, then I will stand with the common people. It is both my duty and my right to protect them.”

Although Governor Alia did not name specific individuals, he revealed that a judicial panel had been established to uncover the root causes of the persistent violence. According to him, the panel’s interim findings already implicate several high-profile figures.

“We set up a judicial panel to help determine the causes of these repeated internal and external attacks. We have received an interim report, and by Tuesday or Wednesday next week, I expect the full report,” he said. “Once I have it, we will act decisively. Many prominent names have been mentioned, and we will not ignore them.”

He further asserted that the state is “under siege,” characterizing the violence as calculated and far beyond the commonly cited farmer-herder conflict.

“The nature of these attacks, and the intelligence we receive, shows this is a coordinated and deliberate operation. Daily, we get intel, and lately, about 60 to 65 percent of it proves accurate. What we’re witnessing is not just ethnic clashes; it’s terrorism,” Alia added.