Benue: Political parties blast Gov Alia over worsening insecurity, thuggery

The Coalition of Political Parties in Benue State and the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, have alleged that insecurity in the state has continued to deteriorate since the present administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia came in.

The parties, which include the Accord Party, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Zenith Labour Party, the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, National Rescue Movement, NRM and some others, also alleged that thuggery has resurfaced in the state since the administration was inaugurated in May 2023.

Tor Aondofa Paul of the NRM, Simon Ogbe of the Zenith Labour Party, and Bishop Benson Ijachi of the Accord Party raised the alarm while addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

According to them, the governor has “failed in security, transparency, and accountability”.

The group also raised the alarm over an alleged massive influx of cows and armed Fulani herdsmen into the state, expressing fear of impending attacks on innocent residents.

“We all know that the primary responsibility of every government is the protection of lives and property. Since Governor Alia assumed power, the security situation in Benue State has deteriorated compared to the last four years.

“We have witnessed a massive influx of cows and armed Fulani herdsmen in the state despite the existence of the law prohibiting open Grazing in Benue State.

“These herdsmen are complicit in the renewed insecurity in the state as they have been fingered in several killings and attacks on innocent Benue people in Guma, Logo, Gwer-Wesr, Makurdi, Otukpo, Agatu, Apa, Gwer-East, Kwande, Ukum and Ado local government areas of the state.

“Just a few weeks ago, the chief of staff to former governor Samuel Ortom, Pastor Terwase Orbunde, was attacked on his farm along the Welfare quarters – Mobile Police barracks road in the heart of Makurdi.

“While Orbunde survived the attack with bullet wounds, his wife and house help were kidnapped. They were only released a few days later after a ransom was paid to the herders”, they said.