Army chief visits Benue amid killings; Alia seeks peace

DDM News

Benue State continues to be a hotbed of violence, prompting the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, to visit Governor Hyacinth Alia in Makurdi as part of concerted efforts to quell the escalating insecurity.

This visit follows a bloody weekend, Sunday, June 1, 2025, when coordinated attacks by suspected gunmen claimed the lives of at least 33 people across communities in Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas.

The official police tally confirmed 17 fatalities in Gwer West and 16 in Apa. However, community leaders and local reports suggest the actual death toll could be significantly higher, with many more feared missing.

The dire situation in Benue has resonated deeply with Nigerians both at home and abroad.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) channels have played a crucial role in amplifying the voices of victims and advocating for stronger government intervention.

Through news reports, personal accounts, and advocacy campaigns, DDM platforms have ensured that the plight of Benue residents remains a prominent issue on the national and international agenda, calling for justice and accountability for the perpetrators.

Five survivors from the recent attacks are currently receiving urgent medical attention.

These incidents are a distressing continuation of a recent surge in violence across the state.

Just days prior, over 20 people were killed in a similar assault on Aondona Village, also in Gwer West, highlighting the persistent and deadly nature of the conflict.

The violence in Nigeria’s North-Central region is largely attributed to long-standing and complex farmer-herder clashes, driven by disputes over diminishing land and water resources.

Farmers consistently accuse herders of destroying their crops through uncontrolled grazing, while herders often cite historical grazing routes and land rights.

This cycle of retribution and reprisal has led to widespread displacement and profound human suffering.

Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Chief of Staff, Paul Biam, reiterated the administration’s firm commitment to ending the senseless killings and restoring peace.

During his meeting with the Chief of Army Staff, Governor Alia appealed for absolute peace, emphasizing that the relative calm sometimes experienced is insufficient.

He urged the military to take decisive action and called on Benue residents to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and provide credible information to aid their operations.

Security analysts and community leaders, however, stress that military intervention alone will not solve the deeply entrenched issues.

They advocate for a multi-faceted approach that includes dialogue, land-use planning, and justice for victims to foster long-term peace and stability in the troubled state.

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