Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has sounded the alarm over the escalating security crisis in the state, describing it as a coordinated wave of terrorist attacks that go beyond the traditional herder-farmer clashes. Speaking on a Television Program, Governor Alia emphasized that the pattern and precision of the attacks point to a larger, more organized threat.

“We are under siege,” Governor Alia exclaimed, highlighting the reliability of daily intelligence gathered, with 60 to 65% of it being accurate. According to him, the attacks are “directed, planned, and executed,” bearing all the hallmarks of terrorism.

The governor described the attackers as professional killers engaging in hit-and-run tactics reminiscent of guerrilla warfare. “For some reason, none of them is ever caught, they come in in the thick of the night, hit, run, and nobody sees a trace. So, it is some terrorism that is eating us up,” he remarked.

Governor Alia’s comments come amid growing concern over the deteriorating security situation in Benue and other parts of Nigeria’s Middle Belt region. The state has witnessed a surge in violence in recent weeks, with multiple local government areas experiencing deadly assaults that have claimed numerous lives.

The governor’s appeal for unity among the people of Benue State highlights the gravity of the situation. According to him, the nature of the violence has evolved into something far more insidious, necessitating a concerted effort to tackle the menace.

Governor Alia’s frustration with the security situation is not new, having previously lamented the military’s inability to tame the killers. The governor’s latest statement underscores the urgent need for effective solutions to address the security challenges facing Benue State.