Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has expressed deep concerns over incessant killing of innocent persons by armed herders in parts of Kwande and Ukum local government areas of the state, assuring that his government will swiftly intervene to arrest the sad situation.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula in a statement said
Alia has appealed to persons in the affected communities to remain calm as the government takes immediate steps to restore total peace.
The Turan Development Association (TUDA) had recently raised an alarm of worsening insecurity fueled by the activities of armed herdsmen and urged Governor Alia to take urgent actions.
The group said the Turan community has witnessed relentless violence, with at least 50 persons killed between December 2024 and February 2025.
Reports indicate that at least, 30 people were killed by suspected hoodlums in the Ayati community of Ukum local government in August last year.
On March 2, 2025, armed herdsmen attacked the Tse Ugema Chul community, killing no fewer than six individuals in an incident that occurred at about 7:00pm. The attackers were said to have ambushed local youths who attempted to drive cattles away from their farms.
Early this year, women of Kwande, organized protests in response to a surge in violence and killings in their communities after a series of attacks that left at least 19 people dead, with many more displaced and living in fear due to ongoing assaults by armed groups, and herdsmen.
Governor Alia in the statement by his spokesman, appealed to the entire people of Kwande particularly, women, who have taken to the streets to register their grievances about the security situation.
“The Governor expresses worry over the incessant attacks on Kwande communities by armed herders, wondering why Kwande and Ukum have received the attention of these attackers now that relative peace is recorded in other areas of the state.
“He, however, assures Kwande and Ukum people of his swift and improved feedback to their situation, describing as remorseless barbarism the activities of the assailants and their collaborators which he says will become history soon,” the statement added.
According to Governor Alia, “I share your pains, and I assure you that we will step up our response and prompt, too. Read my lips. The remorseless barbarity of these assailants and their sponsors will soon be a thing of the past.”
The Benue state Governor emphasized his love for Kwande, Ukum, and the entire state, noting that his government has never abandoned them, and will never abandon them.
He, also assured that the government will ensure that the land of Kwande and Ukum and the entire Benue State is free from armed herdsmen invasion.
Governor Alia sympathized with the victims of the recent attacks on Kwande and further called on security agencies to give the state the best by ensuring that the enemies of Benue are caught and rightly dealt with.
He warned those using his name to stir controversy in Kwande and other areas of the state to be wary of the potential consequences of their actions and stressed that he remains the Governor for all and will continue to work for the good of all people, particularly the masses.
