In a deeply concerning development that has shaken Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia has raised alarm over the identity of those behind the recent wave of killings across the state, claiming that the attackers are not Nigerians. During an appearance on the *Politics Today* program on Channels Television, Governor Alia revealed that intelligence from locals and his own observations pointed to the possibility that the assailants speak foreign languages and exhibit characteristics that are not typical of Nigerians.
The violent attacks that have recently swept through several communities in Benue State have left dozens dead and many more displaced. The perpetrators have targeted rural areas, launching coordinated assaults on unsuspecting villages, and leaving behind a trail of destruction and death. These incidents have added to the growing security concerns in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, an area that has already witnessed similar attacks in neighboring Plateau State.
Governor Alia’s claims came in response to questions about the identity of the attackers. According to him, the individuals responsible for the killings do not resemble the typical Nigerians the people of Benue are familiar with. He noted that Nigerians, by their ethnicities, could be easily identified. Whether Fulani, Hausa, or Yoruba, the governor emphasized that the local population could typically recognize members of various ethnic groups by their language and customs.
However, Alia argued that these new attackers were different. “These folks are coming in fully armed with AK-47s and 49s,” the governor said. “They do not bear the Nigerian look. They don’t speak like we do. Even the Hausa they speak is one sort of Hausa.”
Governor Alia’s remarks raised serious concerns about the origin of the attackers, especially since intelligence reports suggest they might be foreign nationals. He further explained that while some locals who understand the language of the attackers have identified it as a variant of Hausa, it is not the typical Nigerian Hausa. Instead, it is a form of the language that has been linked to people from Mali and other West African nations. The governor went on to state, “These are not Nigerians – believe it.”
The attacks have been described as highly organized and systematic, with reports of heavily armed men infiltrating the state from various directions. According to Alia, this marked a more dangerous phase in the ongoing violence, one that is being carried out with increasing sophistication.
Governor Alia pointed out that the situation in Benue represents a new, more dangerous phase in the ongoing conflict between herders and farmers in the region. The earlier phases of violence had been attributed to local herders and farmers’ clashes. However, Alia stressed that the current wave of killings, characterized by high levels of coordination and foreign involvement, is far more alarming.
“This is the second phase we are seeing,” he said. “The initial ones were with the traditional herders. We had fewer troubles with them. But what we are experiencing now is a new, different, strange face, and it’s now alarming.”
Governor Alia also expressed concerns over the porous borders between Benue State and neighboring countries, such as Cameroon, which may be providing a route for foreign assailants to infiltrate Nigeria. He further claimed that intelligence reports have identified terrorist hideouts in the border regions of Cameroon, as well as parts of Taraba and Nasarawa states.
“The terrorists have their own havens in Taraba, Nasarawa, and in border regions of Cameroon,” Alia stated, further emphasizing the threat posed by these foreign elements to the security of the state.
Governor Alia’s concerns mirror those recently raised by Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State. In an earlier interview, Governor Muftwang revealed that many of the attackers terrorizing communities in his state also do not speak any known Nigerian language, raising questions about their origins.
Muftwang noted that the attackers’ language and behavior suggested that they were not only foreign but also part of a broader pattern of cross-border banditry affecting the Middle Belt region. He highlighted that many of the attackers were likely migrants from northwest Nigeria who had crossed into states like Plateau and Bauchi, spreading violence and terror.
“We believe that everyone has a right to move freely within the country,” Muftwang stated. “However, we will not shy away from acknowledging the reality that the majority of herders speak a language that is well known to all Nigerians. But this crisis is now a national menace creeping into the north-central and must be urgently addressed.”
The situation in Benue State remains dire. Over the weekend, suspected herders launched a series of attacks on the Ukum and Logo local government areas, resulting in at least 56 deaths. By the time this report was filed, the death toll had risen to 72. The victims were mostly farmers, women, and children, with many others left wounded or displaced.
The attacks in Benue have been part of a broader pattern of violence across the Middle Belt, including in Plateau and Taraba states. These areas have long been plagued by conflicts between local communities and migrant herders, but the recent upsurge in violence has taken a more dangerous turn with the involvement of foreign elements.
Governor Alia has appealed to the federal government for immediate action to stop the killings and restore peace to the state. “We are under siege,” he lamented. “These terrorists are everywhere. They come, kill, and run back. Where are they running to?”
The ongoing violence has prompted calls for federal intervention, with Christian groups in Plateau State organizing a peace walk to protest the relentless killings. President Bola Tinubu has condemned the attacks, assuring Nigerians that the government will act decisively to address the security crisis. The Inspector-General of Police has also ordered increased patrols and heightened security measures during the Easter period.
However, the opposition has raised concerns about the government’s response. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi have criticized the government’s handling of the violence, urging more compassionate and community-driven approaches to resolving the crisis.
As the attacks continue, the people of the Middle Belt are left grappling with the question of how to protect their communities from what many now believe to be a coordinated foreign threat. The call for stronger borders, better intelligence gathering, and increased security measures has never been more urgent.
