The Benue Democratic Ambassadors, BEDA, has raised fresh concerns over rising insecurity in Benue State, alleging that over 20 out of the state’s 23 local government areas have been overrun by armed herdsmen.
Speaking during a press briefing in Makurdi, National President of the group, Mr. Daniel Pila, decried what he described as a complete breakdown of security under the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Pila lamented the continuous invasion of Benue communities by marauding herders, saying the situation had worsened to the extent that the home town of the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi Diocese, Most Revd. Wilfred Anagbe, was recently attacked, with scores reportedly killed.
He noted that the attack on Aondona community came just days after Bishop Anagbe had testified before the United States House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, where he highlighted the plight of Christians and farmers in Nigeria, particularly in Benue, who had suffered from unrelenting attacks by armed herdsmen and insurgents.
Bishop Anagbe had during the hearing urged the U.S. government to designate Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to the rising wave of religious persecution and violent attacks.
BEDA expressed strong concern over the Aondona incident, stating that the village is close to Raav, one of the proposed ranching sites by the state government, and being the hometown of the outspoken Catholic bishop, the attack raises serious suspicion.
“The attack on Aondona village is particularly troubling. This is not just because it is close to Raav, where Governor Alia intends to establish a ranch, but also because it is the hometown of Bishop Anagbe, who recently addressed the world on the killing of Christians in Nigeria,” Pila stated.
He further claimed that Bishop Anagbe’s open advocacy for victims of attacks may have drawn threats from those uncomfortable with his global address. The group also urged the Federal Government to thoroughly investigate the killing of Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Atongo, and attacks against Christians in the state.
Pila painted a grim picture of the security situation across Benue, stating: “Benue is under siege. No place is safe – not even Makurdi, the state capital. From Otukpo to Agatu, Gwer-West to Kwande, Gwer-East to Katsina-Ala, and Guma to Logo, herdsmen have effectively taken over at least 20 LGAs. People are living in fear and we are fast becoming a displaced population.”
On the administration’s performance, the group scored Governor Alia low, accusing him of abandoning critical infrastructure projects and allowing the state to fall into neglect.
“In terms of development, Governor Alia has failed woefully. Every project initiated by his administration has been abandoned. Projects like the Ishaya Bakut Road, Iyorchia Ayu Road, and Vaatia College Road were all awarded without due process and left incomplete. Makurdi town itself is in a sorry state—filthy and neglected,” Pila said.
BEDA also called for a united front among political stakeholders, urging them to shelve political differences and work collectively to salvage the state from total collapse.
Reacting to the group’s claims, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, dismissed the allegations as baseless and misleading.
He said: “These assertions are unfounded. The situation in Benue has significantly improved under Governor Alia. Before now, people used to shut down their businesses early due to insecurity. Today, commercial activities continue into the night. That’s a clear sign of progress.”
Kula pointed out that the Governor had flagged off 16 urban road projects in the state capital, which had been completed, and had also awarded an additional 20 roads in the metropolis.
He further added that Governor Alia’s administration had been making visible impact across various sectors, especially education.
“Teachers are better motivated and schools now provide a conducive environment for teaching and learning. The governor is transforming infrastructure across the education sector, and to say education has collapsed is to show ignorance of what education entails,” he said.
Kula reassured Benue residents that Governor Alia remains committed to delivering good governance and the dividends of democracy, stressing that more developmental projects were in the pipeline.
Vanguard
Leave a Reply