Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has revealed details of a private meeting held with President Bola Tinubu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, as part of efforts to address the protracted violence in the state.

Speaking during an appearance on The Morning Brief, a programme on Channels Television, Governor Alia said the meeting was convened by President Tinubu to explore a political solution aimed at ending the ongoing killings in Benue.

Benue, located in Nigeria’s North-Central region and known for its agricultural production, has been plagued by relentless attacks, allegedly carried out by suspected herdsmen.

Over the past few weeks alone, more than 160 residents have reportedly lost their lives in a string of deadly incidents.

During the programme, Governor Alia stressed the need for multifaceted strategies to resolve the crisis.

“We have a complex situation that is primarily being sponsored from somewhere, being remote-controlled from somewhere,” he said.

“We would be able to contain the intra-local government and the intra-local government crises in the state. The problem here is the externals who come in armed with their AK-47 and their AK-49.”

He expressed support for the president’s call for dialogue and reconciliation among the affected communities.

“I think the president is not wrong to have said that we should find a common ground for reconciliation,” Alia said.

“He had invited the SGF and myself because of what he was hearing out there in the public. He tried to find out whether there were some differences between us.”

Amid reports of a rift between Alia and SGF Akume, both key figures in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benue, the governor clarified the nature of their relationship.

“The SGF himself said there were no differences between us. If they were, going forward, there would be no anxiety at all. So, the traditional institutions should go to their beds with eyes closed,” he added.

Governor Alia also dismissed claims that the Federal Government had abandoned the state in its time of need.

“If he (President Bola Tinubu) didn’t have an understanding of what is going on, he won’t be giving us full support,” he said.

Highlighting progress made through federal assistance, he continued:
“Seventeen local governments out of 23 were under siege and then we fought it down to nine local governments. We fought it down to six and now to three. It came down because of the full support we got from the Federal Government.”

The governor’s comments come amid rising tensions in Benue, where public protests have erupted over the killings and security situation.

The state continues to grapple with deep-seated conflicts between farmers and herders, as well as concerns about external influences exacerbating the crisis.

The member representing Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, has decried another deadly attack by suspected herdsmen in Aguamede, a community in Eha-Amufu, Isiuzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.

This latest incident, which occurred on the morning of Monday, June 16, 2025, comes just five days after a similar assault in Mgbuji village, also within Eha-Amufu, where five people lost their lives.

In a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE the lawmaker expressed deep concern over the recurring violence plaguing his constituency.

“The news reaching me from the community is that several other villagers are still missing.”

“The hoodlums I understand attacked the community at an early hour of the Monday morning killing and destroying properties worth millions of Naira,” Nnamchi said.

He confirmed that at least eight bodies had been recovered so far in Aguamede, while many residents remain unaccounted for.

The federal lawmaker renewed his appeal to security authorities for urgent intervention in the area.

“I want to use this medium to re-echo my earlier appeal for the redeployment of military personnel to Eha-Amufu and other troubled spots in Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency to curtail the dastardly act and save my people from these marauders,” he stated.

Professor Nnamchi further called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to urgently provide relief materials to the displaced residents, many of whom have reportedly fled to neighboring villages for safety.

He also urged the nation’s top security chiefs to take immediate action.

“I further urge the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff to rise up to the occasion by immediately deploying officers to the Eha-Amufu and ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous act were arrested and made to face the consequences of their actions,” he concluded.

Governor Hyacinth Alia has pushed back against claims that the Federal Government has not supported Benue State in tackling the violent attacks by armed groups.

“If he (President Bola Tinubu) didn’t have an understanding of what is going on, he won’t be giving us full support,” Alia said during The Morning Brief programme on Channels Television on Monday.

According to him, “Seventeen local governments out of 23 were under siege and then we fought it down to nine local governments. We fought it down to six and now to three. It came down because of the full support we got from the Federal Government.”

“The last time we had some severe attacks, three security units were assigned to us from the Federal Government. They came in and there was a huge shift. Those who had occupied the spaces in the local governments had to leave,” he added.

Despite this, fresh violence continues to plague the state.

On Friday, June 15, 2025, at least 59 people were killed in a night attack in Yelewata, Guma LGA, among them military and civil defense personnel.

This incident followed deadly assaults in April, where about 60 people were killed in Ukum and Logo LGAs, and another 42 in May in Gwer West LGA.

Pope Leo XIV condemned the “terrible massacre” as “extreme cruelty,” and public frustration has triggered protests and outrage nationwide.

Opposition leaders, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have also criticized the government’s security response, calling for it to fulfill its constitutional role.

Alia expressed condolences to the families of those affected and said the support from the Federal Government was evident in the recent visit by Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Olufemi Oluyede.

On the root of the violence, Alia explained: “Before now, we are talking about the farmer-herder crisis. And now, it graduates from there and became the case where the herders came in but the armed men were amongst them and we tagged them: ‘the armed herders.’

“Now, what we experience generally is that the herds are not being brought but those who are in the frontline carry AK-47 and AK-49. What are their aims? They don’t even come with cows. They attack, they kill and after one or two weeks, and a number of people now come back to occupy.”

He also raised concerns about insider involvement: “It is very possible that members of the state may have been recruited into the external militia. We can’t deny that because one or two names have been mentioned but traditionally, there are some bandits within the territories.

“A thief will not just come into a community unless there is someone within the community who lives nearby,” he noted.

The governor blamed the ongoing threat in part on the state’s porous borders: “We share borders with Cameroon, with Taraba and with Nasarawa,” he said.

“They were not necessarily Nigerians speaking the Hausa we know or the Fulanis. When you come to the axis of Nasarawa.”

“This is where we have a lot of challenges. There are a number of happenings within Nasarawa State and there were routes where these people come in through any time they are shifted out of Benue. What we see now if anyone describes it as a reprisal, we wouldn’t say no to that.”

Alia added that his Nasarawa counterpart, Governor Abdullahi Sule, had shared intelligence about the attackers’ movement.

“The terrorists were coming into his state through Benue. When I told him that the havoc had already been caused at Yelewata in Benue, then he said probably, they came and made a touchdown in Yelewata in Benue and were going back because he said one person was macheted in Nasarawa State.”

Tsegba Gbam Ayua is among the many devastated residents still coming to terms with the brutal attack on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

The assault by armed invaders claimed the lives of scores, including Ayua’s wife and four children.

Still grappling with the overwhelming loss, Ayua shared his harrowing experience and fears of never fully recovering from the trauma.

“I had been displaced from Ayua in Nasarawa State for over two years and was taking refuge with my family in Yelewata. A few days before the incident, I travelled back to Nasarawa to do menial jobs so I could support my family,” he recounted.

He explained the tragic moment he learned about the attack.

“Then, around 11 pm on Friday, I got a call that our host community was under attack. I rushed back early Saturday morning, only to find the worst nightmare of my life. My wife and four children had been burned to ashes inside the market stalls where they were sleeping. Over 100 corpses were recovered in the area.” Ayua said he buried his family the same day and is struggling to accept the tragedy.

Prince Aondona Isaka Ornguga also spoke emotionally about his devastating loss of at least 23 family members during the attack.

Fighting back tears, Ornguga, a former Senior Special Assistant to ex-Governor Samuel Ortom on Local Government Administration, described the scale of devastation on the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Yelewata, a rural border town between Benue and Nasarawa States.

He said the 23 victims were related to him through his maternal lineage, sharing a poignant recollection

“I spoke with two of the victims, Victor Utim and Mathew Iormba, about three weeks ago. They are my first cousins from Tse Tarbee, my mother’s village. While Utim just wrote JAMB, and we were working on getting admission for him. Iormba told me he went to check his business around there.”

Ornguga lamented the cruel manner of their deaths, “Iormba was a pharmacist.

He had a tall dream, but look at how it all ended for them. And for Utim, this is not what we discussed.”

Mama Victoria Tyobee, a survivor, described her narrow escape.

“We were sleeping when, about midnight, I heard a gunshot, and looking through the window, I saw one of the attackers with a weapon standing right by my house. As I was wondering what to do next, there were sporadic gunshots, and the man fled into the nearby bushes,” she recounted.

“It was after a while that I mustered the courage to step out of the house. I later discovered that my relatives were not so fortunate. We lost three of them. It’s indeed a very sad experience.”

Besides these personal stories, many others remain untold from the horrific event, which began on Friday night and extended into early Saturday morning.

Reports indicate at least 107 people were killed, with many others wounded and receiving treatment in hospitals.

“They burnt people alive, entire families: husbands, wives, and children. It’s already about 107 dead bodies recovered and still counting. Some of the victims had fled previous attacks, only to be slaughtered here,” said one local resident.

Multiple sources confirmed that the attackers doused roadside stalls and makeshift shelters with petrol before setting them ablaze.

The victims were mainly IDPs from communities like Antsa, Dooka, Kadarko, Udei, and Giza, who had sought refuge in Yelewata, trusting the presence of nearby security checkpoints would offer protection.

Matthew Mnyan, a community leader in Yelewata and former acting Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), shared a grim account.

“A single family of 15 was wiped out. Children had their throats slit. Toddlers were killed like animals. It’s heartbreaking.”

Mnyan warned the death toll could surpass 200 as they continued cataloging bodies, including those who died en route to medical care.

Chief Dennis Denen Gbongbon, a prominent farmers’ leader, confirmed that most victims were Tiv farmers and displaced persons.

“These people were already living on the margins. Now they’ve been reduced to ashes. I saw the bodies—many of them burnt beyond recognition,” he lamented.

Eyewitnesses described a terrifying two-hour siege that overwhelmed local youth and police who tried to resist the attackers.

“They came in two groups. While we tried to hold off those advancing from the west, another group attacked from the east and overran us,” one resident revealed.

Meanwhile, a separate attack was reported in Daudu, about a 20-minute drive from Makurdi, where armed herders ambushed military personnel responding to the invasion threat.

The ambush claimed the lives of two soldiers, including a captain, and one Civil Defence personnel. A policeman remains missing.

A Daudu resident, identified only as Ikyott, said security personnel and local youths mounted a timely defense.

“Our youths and soldiers under Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) mounted a strong resistance, killing some of the attackers. Unfortunately, some security personnel also lost their lives in the process,” he said.

Guma LGA Chairman Maurice Orwough confirmed the attacks without disclosing fatality numbers, stating many were killed and over 26 hospitalized.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, confirmed the incidents but noted that full details were still being gathered.

“It’s true. I’m aware of the attacks in Yelewata and Daudu. But I’m not on the ground to give the complete picture yet.”

Similarly, Benue police spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet acknowledged the Yelewata attack, confirming tactical teams had been deployed and some attackers neutralised.

“Unfortunately, lives were lost. We are still pursuing the perpetrators,” she said without casualty figures.

Lt. Zubair Ahmad, Public Relations Officer of OPWS, has remained silent on the deaths of security operatives.

The massacre sparked mass protests from youths and civil groups demanding government action.

The first wave of protests began on Saturday evening in Daudu, where demonstrators blocked the Lafia–Makurdi highway for hours.

Security forces, led by OPWS Commander Major General Moses Gara, eventually persuaded them to clear the road.

On Sunday morning, protests escalated as more demonstrators gathered at the Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi despite heavy security presence, including police, army, NSCDC, and NDLEA operatives, with an Armoured Personnel Carrier stationed at the junction.

By 9:30 am, protesters occupied the roundabout to demand justice, but police fired teargas to disperse them around 11 am, causing chaos with shattered vehicle windows near the new bridge linking North Bank to the city center.

Despite this, protests regained momentum at other Makurdi locations such as Gyado villa and along George Akume Road. Social media activist #VeryDarkMan joined the demonstrations calling for accountability.

Benue State Commissioner of Police Ifeanyi Emenari appealed for calm, urging youths to suspend protests given renewed federal security intervention.

“The Inspector General of Police has taken over the security of Benue State,” he said, adding that special forces had arrived and were actively pursuing bandits.

“We have already made some arrests. The governor has given us all the necessary support.”

However, protests continued as residents demanded lasting solutions to recurring attacks.

Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the massacre, stating that “nothing should warrant the taking of life.”

His deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, visited the attack site under his directives to assure the community that the government is committed to peace.

Alia, through his Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula, emphasized that the state government is engaging federal security agencies, traditional rulers, and stakeholders to strengthen security interventions and provide lasting solutions.

Retired DSS Senior Intelligence Officer John Noah advised a gradual approach to ending insecurity, stressing the importance of traditional institutions engaging youths for sensitization and intelligence gathering.

Following the attack, Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Executive Secretary Sir James Iorpuu led efforts to relocate victims to Makurdi.

He credited collaborative support from the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, the Peace Commission’s Director-General, Benue Links, and UNHCR for the evacuation.

“It is with a heavy heart that I welcome you to the International Market emergency camp, established by Benue SEMA to accommodate victims of last night’s brutal assault on Yelewata community,” Iorpuu said.

Operation Whirl Stroke Commander Major General Moses Gara described the attacks as “barbaric and unacceptable,” and outlined plans to reassess troop deployment and develop decisive strategies to stop the violence.

During visits to affected communities, General Gara engaged leaders and stakeholders, assuring them of the military’s commitment.

“Today, I stand not just as a commander, but as a fellow Nigerian who understands your pain and suffering. The Nigerian security establishment is with you. We are not here to observe; we are here to act. We will pursue the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and ensure they face justice,” he stated.

In a statement, OPWS spokesman Lt. Zubairu Ahmad affirmed intensified intelligence gathering, additional troop deployments, and robust operational strategies to prevent further incursions.

Community representative Iorkyaa Emmanuel expressed confidence in the military and pledged the community’s support for sustained security presence to deter future attacks.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed security chiefs to enforce his earlier mandate to restore peace in Benue State, calling on Governor Alia to initiate reconciliation efforts among communities.

His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said security agencies are now directing operations on the ground.

Describing the massacre as “inhuman and anti-progress,” President Tinubu urged political and community leaders to avoid inflammatory statements that worsen tensions.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the killings as a national emergency and called for immediate investigations by federal and state governments.

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki also decried the attacks, highlighting the tragedy that many victims were already displaced persons living in camps.

Pope Leo also prayed for the victims during the Sunday’s holy mass.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to ending the persistent violence in Benue State by ordering the nation’s security chiefs to immediately enforce earlier instructions aimed at restoring peace in the troubled region.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the presidency confirmed: “President Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to Benue State.”

The renewed presidential order follows the recent deadly raid on Yelewata community on June 14, which reportedly left over 100 people dead.

The attack, described as one of the bloodiest in recent memory, has sparked outrage across the country and renewed calls for stronger action.

Acting on Tinubu’s directive, security and intelligence teams, including police and military officials, have now been deployed to Benue to oversee operations and reestablish law and order.

The statement further revealed that the president has urged the state governor to take an active role in reconciliation efforts.

“convening reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to end the incessant bloodshed and bring lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and communities.”

Highlighting the urgency of the situation, the statement added: “President Tinubu renewed his order in the wake of the latest round of reprisal attacks that led to the death of many people.”

“On the president’s directive, intelligence chiefs, the police and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity.”

Condemning the spate of killings as unacceptable, the president labeled the acts as “inhuman and anti-progress,” urging security agencies to respond quickly and impartially.

He said: “The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough. I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them.”

President Tinubu also appealed to both political and community leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could exacerbate tensions.

“Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings,” he warned.

Addressing Governor Hyacinth Alia directly, the president called on him to embrace leadership through unity and inclusive dialogue.

“This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue.”

“Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice,” Tinubu said.

He urged all stakeholders in the conflict to control elements within their groups who provoke violence and retaliation: “rein in those who go out to cause provocations and ignite reprisal attacks.”

International human rights organization Amnesty International condemned the June 14 massacre, asserting that government measures have so far failed to stop the violence.

“The horrifying killing of over 100 people by gunmen that invaded Yelewata from late Friday into the early hours of Saturday shows the security measures government claims to be implementing in the state are not working,” Amnesty said.

The group added that the situation in Benue has become a humanitarian crisis and insisted that the government must “immediately end the almost daily bloodshed in Benue State and bring the actual perpetrators to justice.”

DAILY GAZETTE reported that three security officers were killed and 16 others injured in the Yelewata incident.

The attack forms part of a disturbing pattern; only days earlier, on June 10, three young men were murdered in Edikwu-G’Icho, Apa LGA, while another individual, Sunday Dutse, was ambushed and killed along the Odugbeho-Ogbaulu road in Agatu LGA.

Governor Alia, in a recent interview with Channels Television, painted a grim picture of the situation in the state.

“We are under siege,” he said, adding that the violence was “directed, planned, and executed,” and not merely random clashes.

“We are receiving intel, and 60 to 65 percent of it has proven accurate,” the governor revealed, warning that what the state is facing are “organised acts of terrorism.”