PDP reveals how Governor Alia can end killings in Benue

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to step up support for security agencies in Benue State, as the state grapples with escalating insecurity.

In a weekend statement from its Publicity Secretary in Benue State, Bemgba Iortyom, the party called on Governor Alia to collaborate with the state’s National Assembly members to address the security challenges instead of engaging in confrontations.

Expressing deep concern over the recent violence in Gbagir, Ukum Local Government Area (LGA), the PDP criticized the Governor for attributing the killings to cattle rustling and kidnapping by a militia leader.

The party condemned the attacks across Gwer, Kwande, Ukum, and Logo LGAs, which resulted in reported deaths, emphasizing that these acts were unprovoked and a clear violation of the state’s ban on open grazing of livestock.

“The Governor’s attempt to attribute these heinous acts to cattle rustling ignores the core issue: the criminal violation of the Prohibition of Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law by the herders,” the statement noted.

The PDP stressed that Governor Alia’s response seemed to shift blame away from the criminals, portraying a lack of commitment to protecting the people from killer herdsmen and other criminals.

Calling on Governor Alia to take decisive action, the party demanded the expulsion of armed herdsmen from Benue State to prevent further bloodshed.

“The Governor must collaborate with the National Assembly members from Benue to confront this urgent challenge, instead of engaging in needless altercations,” the statement emphasized.

The party criticized the Governor’s call for security agents to enforce the ban without providing necessary resources, labeling it as inadequate and merely symbolic.

“Governor Alia must act decisively to remove the threat posed by murderous herdsmen in Benue and put an end to the ongoing bloodshed,” the statement concluded.