‘This is land grabbing’ — Alia speaks on Benue attacks

Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue state, says the wave of deadly attacks on communities in the state is part of a coordinated land-grabbing plot by armed groups.

Some persons were reportedly killed on Tuesday night when gunmen invaded Otobi-Akpa and Emichi in Otukpo LGA, and Utonkon in Ado LGA.

Addressing journalists at the government house in Makurdi, Alia linked the recent violence to efforts by the attackers to displace residents and take over ancestral lands.

“They come and they kill any person irrespective of ethnicity on their way,” Alia said.

“So they (attackers) kill them all, the residents run away, they go back a few weeks and then they come in full-fledged for occupation. This is land grabbing.”

According to the governor, the attacks have left at least 11 people dead, while security operatives have been deployed to restore calm in the affected areas.

“We’ve lost 11 people. There are some villagers who are still missing. We’re hoping that they will be found,” he said.

“Since last night, we deployed through the security heads, our security apparatuses who went to calm the situation down.”

Alia said he instructed his deputy, Sam Ode, to visit the affected communities before dawn, while top security officials, including the police commissioner and homeland security personnel, were also sent in for assessments.

Alia added that he had spoken with Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser (NSA), who assured him that the federal government would boost support to the state.

“There were a number of incidents we spoke about and they’re still going to respond to us to see how much they can up the protective gears for us because it is deeply concerning,” Alia said.

“When you come in there and then you kill so freely, no one is apprehended, and then you move out and then you come and strike again… I think there’s every need for all of us to stay on alert.

“As the NSA just assured me last night that they’re going to put in place, in our support, everything that requires to be done.”

On Wednesday, David Mark, former president of the senate, condemned the latest attacks in the state.

In a statement issued by Paul Mumeh, his special adviser, Mark described the killings as “one too many” and urged security operatives to rise to the challenge.

Earlier this month, residents of Otukpo in Benue south district staged a protest against the incessant cases of kidnappings and killings.

The demonstration saw protesters, mostly youths, occupy the Otukpo-Enugu federal highway, while calling on the government to address the growing insecurity in the state.