By George Ozalla
The Benue State National Assembly Caucus held a press briefing on Thursday, June 12, 2025, where they vehemently denied allegations made by Governor Hyacinth Alia that members of the caucus are sponsoring attacks in the state. Senator Abba Patrick Moro, the Senate Minority Leader representing Benue South Senatorial District, described the governor’s claims as “baseless, reckless, and irresponsible”.
According to the caucus, Governor Alia has a history of making contradictory statements on security issues in Benue State. They revealed that while the governor initially claimed there had been no killings in the state since he assumed office in May 2023, he later downplayed attacks as “mere skirmishes.”
The caucus emphasized that Governor Alia’s allegations against them are unfounded and lack evidence. “Members of the Caucus of the National Assembly from Benue State, therefore, unequivocally and without any fear of contradiction, deny the allegation that they are sponsoring Fulani militia to attack and kill their people,” Senator Moro stated.
The caucus demanded that Governor Alia retract his words and publicly apologize to the members of the Benue Caucus of the National Assembly. The caucus also called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the members of the caucus and report to the people of Benue and Nigeria. Furthermore, they appealed to Governor Alia to concentrate on governance and desist from blaming others for his administration’s failures.
Benue state has witnessed a surge in violent attacks, with at least 270 people killed between April 1 and June 1, 2025, across 10 local government areas. The attacks have led to significant displacement, with over 18,000 individuals forced to flee their homes. Many are living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, with some reports suggesting that these camps are overwhelmed and struggling to provide adequate support.
The situation in Benue State remains dire, with ongoing violence and displacement causing significant humanitarian concerns. Efforts to address the crisis and provide support to affected communities may be ongoing, but more needs to be done to protect citizens and promote peace and stability in the region.
