Tensions continue to rise in Benue State as the Indigenous Hausa People’s Rights Consigned of Nigeria strongly rejected Governor Hyacinth Alia’s claims that “foreign militants” are behind the recent spate of violent attacks in the state.
In a viral social media statement, Comrade Al Mukhtar Ali, the group’s spokesperson, refuted the governor’s narrative, asserting that many of the perpetrators are local Fulani elements, not foreign mercenaries.
“No, Father Alia these are Fulani, and some were even born right in the bushes around us. That’s why they speak our local languages so well,” Comrade Mukhtar wrote. “Let’s stop pretending. Let’s stop covering the truth. Enough is enough.”
The impassioned statement comes in the wake of fresh attacks that have left dozens dead and forced thousands to flee their homes across rural communities in Benue.
Governor Alia had previously attributed the violence to non-Nigerian mercenaries, a claim the Indigenous Hausa group flatly denies. According to the group, many of the assailants are deeply embedded in local territories and have operated with impunity for years.
The group’s demand for “full military force” to dismantle alleged militant camps signals growing impatience and anger among indigenous communities who feel increasingly abandoned by the authorities.
The escalating rhetoric reflects the broader security crisis plaguing the Middle Belt, where ethnic tensions, land disputes, and herder-farmer clashes continue to fuel violence.
As pressure mounts, civil society organizations and local leaders are urging for immediate intervention to prevent further bloodshed and restore peace in the region.