Abuja politicians behind Benue attacks – Gov. Alia reveals shocking findings

DDM News

The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has dropped a bombshell accusing powerful Abuja-based politicians of orchestrating and funding violent attacks in Benue.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Governor Alia said the attacks that have claimed numerous lives are not random or tribal but politically motivated.

In a startling disclosure, he alleged that some members of the National Assembly are actively sponsoring the armed groups responsible for these atrocities.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the governor’s claims are grounded in findings from an investigative judicial panel established by his administration.

According to him, the panel, which was tasked with probing the root causes of the attacks, recently submitted an interim report implicating several top political figures operating from Abuja.

Though Alia refrained from naming the individuals involved, he insisted that the full report, expected next week, would provide a clearer picture of the extent of their involvement.

“We set up a judicial panel to sort out for us why we kept having attacks from within and from without,” he said.

“The panel has already given us an interim report, and I expect to receive the full document between Tuesday and Wednesday next week.”

The governor described the targeted killings and displacement of Benue residents as beyond a simple conflict between farmers and herders.

He emphasized that the violence has evolved into a politically driven campaign to destabilize the state for selfish electoral gains.

According to Alia, these politicians are not just behind the attacks, they also provide safe havens for the assailants.

“They house these people, keep them in the bush, buy gadgets for them, and settle all their bills,” he alleged.

Governor Alia expressed outrage at what he termed a betrayal of public trust by those elected to serve.

“This is extremely unacceptable. If they do not like the lives of the people and are only fighting for their political positions, then I must stand to protect the masses,” he said.

He vowed that his government would not back down from exposing and prosecuting anyone found guilty, regardless of their political influence.

The governor’s statement has triggered waves of concern and shock across the country, particularly among civil society groups and local communities in Benue.

Many residents in the state have long complained about recurring violence that often goes unpunished.

Security experts have repeatedly pointed out the unusual coordination and sophistication of the armed groups attacking villages in the region.

Benue State, located in Nigeria’s North-Central zone, has suffered repeated waves of violent clashes, initially attributed to tensions between herders and farming communities.

However, recent attacks have appeared more systematic, with victims often citing strange faces and sophisticated weapons used by the invaders.

Some communities have even alleged that the attackers speak neither Fulani nor local dialects, fueling suspicion of external and politically backed involvement.

Governor Alia’s public accusations lend credence to these suspicions and may usher in a new phase in the state’s security approach.

Analysts say if the final report confirms the governor’s claims, it could result in the arrest and prosecution of high-profile figures, shaking Nigeria’s political establishment.

Alia, a Catholic priest turned politician, was elected governor in 2023 under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Since taking office, he has pledged to restore security, rebuild displaced communities, and pursue justice for victims of attacks.

This latest revelation comes amid heightened political tensions in the country, as Nigerians increasingly demand accountability and transparency from their leaders.

The governor’s bold move is expected to generate further debate on the role of elite interests in fueling violence across Nigeria.

So far, the federal government has yet to respond to Alia’s accusations, and no official comment has come from the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, calls are mounting for the public release of the full panel report, as citizens urge the Benue State government to pursue justice without fear or favour.

Human rights groups are also calling for independent investigations to verify the claims and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

For Benue residents, the revelations have revived hope that the truth behind their years of suffering may finally be exposed.

DDM will continue to monitor developments and bring updates as they unfold.

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