Defence headquarters unmasks foreign herdsmen as key players in Plateau, Benue violence

DDM News

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has accused foreign herders of orchestrating the ongoing violence in Plateau and Benue States.

This was made known during a media briefing held in Abuja on Thursday.

The briefing was addressed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that Kangye attributed the violent attacks on farming communities to foreign nationals.

He revealed that these herders are entering Nigeria illegally through the country’s porous borders.

According to Kangye, the attackers often use the ECOWAS protocol on free movement to gain access into Nigeria.

He emphasized that many of those responsible for the killings are not Nigerians.

Kangye stated that investigations have shown that a significant number of the armed herders are foreigners from neighboring African countries.

He explained that these individuals exploit Nigeria’s weak border security to move freely into the country.

The Defence Headquarters pointed out that this trend has worsened security situations in parts of the North Central region.

Plateau and Benue States have witnessed repeated attacks on farming communities over the past months.

Several villages have been razed, and hundreds of residents have either been killed or forced to flee their homes.

The violence has left thousands displaced and has destroyed farmlands and livelihoods.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue recently accused foreign herders of orchestrating the violence in the state.

He claimed that these herders exploit regional agreements to attack and occupy communities in Benue.

Kangye supported this position by stating that the identity of the attackers is often evident through physical and linguistic cues.

He said the version of Hausa spoken by the assailants is different from the Nigerian variant.

He explained that linguistic differences, accents, and expressions help security forces identify non-Nigerians among arrested suspects.

He also mentioned that the appearance and hair texture of some of the attackers clearly show they are from other West and Central African countries.

Kangye said only a few Nigerian communities, such as the Shuwa Arabs in Borno, bear physical similarities with these foreign individuals.

He stressed the need for Nigeria to tighten its border control and improve surveillance.

He said multiple security agencies must collaborate to monitor cross-border movements effectively.

According to him, relevant authorities must ensure that everyone who enters Nigeria is accounted for.

He noted that allowing unregulated entry into the country poses a serious security risk.

Kangye urged for a multi-agency response that involves the military, immigration, customs, and other border control units.

He also called for regional cooperation among ECOWAS countries to revise and enforce stricter guidelines on livestock movement.

The Defence Headquarters warned that unless these measures are taken, the attacks on farming communities may continue.

It emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering by local communities to detect and report suspicious activities.

Kangye encouraged citizens to work with security forces to ensure their communities are protected.

He reassured Nigerians that the military remains committed to defending the nation against both internal and external threats.

The Defence Headquarters also called for patience and cooperation from the public in the ongoing fight against cross-border terrorism.

With the escalation of violence in rural areas, the Nigerian government faces renewed pressure to address the loopholes in border management.

Security analysts have long warned that Nigeria’s extensive and unmanned borders pose a risk to national stability.

The current situation highlights the urgent need for policy reforms and stronger inter-agency coordination.

Experts say that failure to act quickly could worsen the humanitarian crisis in affected states.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) will continue to monitor developments as the government responds to the growing insecurity.

The Defence Headquarters’ revelation marks a significant step in identifying the root cause of the violence affecting Plateau and Benue States.

It also shifts focus to the international dimensions of Nigeria’s internal security challenges.

As the situation unfolds, citizens and stakeholders await stronger action to curb further bloodshed and displacement.

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