Governor Hyacinth Alia has exonerated Fulani herdsmen from the killings in Benue State, saying that the attackers are not Nigerians, but Malians.
Alia made the statement during an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Tuesday.
He said that the attackers’ Hausa accent is not Nigerian as testified by some indigenes of the state.
The governor stated that about 40 people were killed during attacks on some communities in the state, saying many people had been displaced.
Alia said, “Attackers of Benue communities don’t wear Nigerian looks and they don’t speak the normal Hausa we Nigerian speak or the Fulani Nigerians speak.
“Some of our people who understand what they speak said that they are Malians but they are not Nigerians.
“Initially our communities were attacked by traditional headers. We have less troubles with them now. We had a number of cases.
“Now when the terrorists come, traditional herders inform us of their movements. They tell us that certain people are coming into our lands.”
The governor added that Benue state was under siege, saying the attacks were coordinated.
“Three dead bodies were recovered from the Katsina-Ala axis of the state, which means that the entire space out there is under siege.
“We are under siege as a state. We are under attack, and those who are attacking us are land-grabbers. They displace our people.”
Alia stated that the government is working with community leaders to secure communities, adding that his government is dopting community police to end killing in the state.
