By our reporter 17-6-2025
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, said he is against his citizens taking up arms and defend themselves against invading Fulani herdsmen.
He was speaking against the background of incessant attack of defenceless Benue communities’ members the last being the gruesome attacks which left over 100 people killed some burnt alive while sleeping. Governor Alia argued that citizens taking up arms could lead to more bloodshed.
“People who just decide to get work up because of sentiments and emotions that are attached to what is happening with us and within us, I think we’re rendering ourselves a bit more vulnerable. So, I wouldn’t advocate for self-defense,” Alia said on AIT
He argued that local security architecture would better address the peculiar security dynamics in Benue.
“I would encourage us all to keep calling for community policing because it’s the only way,” Alia stated.
“It’s only people from within the state and the local government who would understand what is going on with them.”
Meanwhile Governor Alia has suspended his Press Secretary Mr. Lubem Terkula UKmoni, who joined in the #EndBenueGenocide protest.
Mr. UKmoni moved by the killing of a woman who alongside her five children were killed and burnt to aches called joined the protest held on Monday defying a government order.