Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has warned residents against resorting to self-defence amid continued attacks by armed herders across the state.
Speaking during an interview on AIT’s Kakaaki programme on Tuesday, Governor Alia urged communities to embrace community policing as a more effective and sustainable response to the ongoing insecurity.
Benue has witnessed a series of deadly attacks in recent weeks, particularly in the Yelewata area, where more than 300 people have reportedly been killed by suspected armed herders.
Read also: Tinubu Visits Benue Amid Herdsmen Killings In Three States
Benue: Nine Dead As Suspected Herdsmen Attack Agatu, Apa
Insecurity: Governor Alia Declares Benue Under Terror Siege
Governor Alia reaffirmed his accusation that the killings were carried out by herders who have continued to terrorise local populations with impunity.
However, he cautioned that arming civilians or encouraging self-defence could backfire, making already vulnerable communities more exposed to violence and disorder.
“But where you have people who just decide to wake up because of sentiments and emotions that are attached to what is happening with us and within us, I think the rendering ourselves a bit more vulnerable — so I wouldn’t advocate for a self-defence,” Alia said.
Instead, he reiterated the importance of grassroots security, urging communities to focus on localised protection mechanisms.
“I would encourage us all to keep calling for community policing because it’s the only way,” the governor stated.
Governor Alia emphasised that only people who reside in and understand the dynamics of local government areas and communities can effectively contribute to security management.
“It’s only people from within the state and local government who would understand what is going on with them,” he added.
His remarks follow the recent deployment of additional Nigerian Air Force assets to Benue State after the Yelwata massacre, as well as national outrage over the scale of violence.
Despite calls from some quarters for more aggressive civilian response, the governor maintained that official security frameworks remain the safest path forward.
