Amid the protracted security crisis in Benue State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has held a high-level meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, as part of efforts to restore peace and stability in the state. Governor Alia made this known during a live interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday.
According to Alia, the meeting, which was convened recently at the behest of President Tinubu, was aimed at fostering dialogue and unity among key stakeholders in the state, and to deepen federal collaboration in tackling the incessant killings and violence that have plagued Benue for years.
“President Tinubu is not wrong to ask us to find common ground for peace. He invited the SGF and me because of the reports he was receiving from the public. He wanted clarity, especially on whether there was any existing tension between us,” Governor Alia explained.
Dismissing widespread speculation about a political rift between himself and the SGF, Alia stressed that the relationship between the two remains cordial. He affirmed that both leaders are aligned in their commitment to restoring peace and development to the state. “The SGF himself said there are no differences between us. And if there were any before, going forward, there will be no problems at all. Our traditional rulers can sleep peacefully,” he assured.
The governor also used the opportunity to shed light on the complex nature of the conflict in Benue, attributing much of the violence to external influences. He claimed that armed incursions by non-indigenous elements, wielding sophisticated weapons such as AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, were largely responsible for the bloodshed and instability in rural communities.
“We have a complex situation that is being sponsored and controlled from somewhere. We can handle internal local government issues, but the real challenge lies with outsiders invading our communities with firearms,” Alia said.
Contrary to narratives suggesting neglect by the Federal Government, the governor commended President Tinubu’s intervention and consistent support. He highlighted measurable progress in reclaiming affected local government areas from violent attacks, attributing this success to collaborative efforts between the state and federal authorities.
“At a point, 17 out of 23 local government areas in Benue were under siege. With support from the Federal Government, we brought that number down to nine, then six, and now just three. That is significant progress. If the President didn’t understand or support us, we wouldn’t be seeing these results,” Alia remarked.
The crisis in Benue State, widely linked to herder-farmer clashes and banditry, has persisted for over a decade, leaving thousands dead and scores displaced. Efforts to resolve the situation have often been complicated by political tension, communal mistrust, and alleged external sponsorship.
The recent intervention by President Tinubu signals a renewed commitment from the Federal Government to engage directly with local leaders in addressing one of Nigeria’s most enduring internal security challenges. As the state looks to turn a new page, stakeholders and citizens alike hope that dialogue, cooperation, and strategic action will pave the way for lasting peace in the region.
