Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has raised serious concerns over the spate of violent attacks on rural communities in the state, revealing that the terrorists responsible are not Nigerians. According to intelligence reports and local testimonies, the attackers claim to be from Mali and communicate in a variant of Fulani that is unfamiliar to indigenous Nigerian Fulani communities.
Addressing journalists in Makurdi, Governor Alia stated, “These criminals are not our people. They have been identified as foreigners—most likely from Mali—based on the dialect they speak and their confessions during encounters. What is happening in Benue is not just a local crisis but an infiltration by foreign elements bent on destabilizing our communities.”
The Governor emphasized the urgent need for strengthened border security and inter-agency collaboration to prevent further incursions by armed non-state actors. He also called on the Federal Government to investigate the international dimensions of the violence plaguing the North Central region.
“Our people deserve peace and security. We will not relent until every community is safe again,” Governor Alia assured.