…Demands independent probe of sponsors of violent attacks
The Benue State Government on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, condemned in the strongest terms, what it described as the “irresponsible act’ of politicizing armed herders attacks on innocent communities in the State by the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Michaeel Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, and his Labour Party counterpart, Mr Herman Membe.
This was as the Government demanded a swift and transparent investigation of alleged sponsorship of violent armed attacks in the state by the relevant independent security authorities.
It stressed that anyone found to be inciting, funding, or otherwise enabling attacks on innocent people to score heartless political points, must be held fully accountable under the law with a view to identifying the culprits and made to face the wrath of the law.
The Government emphasised that the blood of Benue people being spilled, the grief of bereaved families, the trauma of survivors, and the many other losses, require compassion, urgent action, and unity, but certainly not sarcastic profiteering.
These were contained in a statement by Tersoo Kula, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Benue State, in which he stressed that the continuous, cynical, and shameful weaponization of the recent attacks on innocent communities in Benue State by some opposition elements, particularly the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, for narrow partisan political gain has become a source of serious worry and concern.
The statement noted that it is both shameful and a clear demonstration of heartlessness for individuals like Aondoakaa and his followers to seize upon human suffering to score cheap political points and level unfounded accusations aimed primarily at fanning the embers of discord when solidarity and calm are most urgently needed.
The statement further said; “At a moment like this, what our people expect and deserve is responsible leadership and constructive oversight.
“Confirmation by security chiefs abounds to the effect that Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration is consistently providing tangible support to security agencies through logistical assistance, intelligence collaboration, personnel motivation, and coordination with local vigilantes to protect communities and restore peace.
“Every responsible citizen who genuinely cares for the people knows these efforts deserve recognition and measured scrutiny based on facts, not opportunistic blame designed to advance election year agendas,” it stated.
The Benue State Government specifically stated that it is sincerely alarmed by a recurring pattern in which some political actors, especially those in the opposition led by Michael Aondoakaa and Herman Hembe, who for years offered neither public empathy nor substantial solutions when the violence first escalated, suddenly appear at the forefront of every crisis with political statements and accusations.
It further said; “It is, rather, a betrayal of our civic decency and national conscience for these groups to continue exploiting the suffering of children, women, elders, and ordinary families for partisan headlines.
“As a matter of fact, if, as some have insinuated, there are actors sponsoring violence to create political advantage, we strongly urge the relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate such allegations, including claims involving Michael Kaase Aondoakaa of the PDP and Herman Hembe of the Labour Party,” it stated.
The State Government thaterefore called on all political leaders of good conscience, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, faith leaders, the media, and citizens to reject the cynical politicization, but should put the welfare and safety of the people of Benue above partisan interests.
It said; “Now, more than ever, is the time for solidarity, facts, and action, not opportunism”.
The statement stated that the government of Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia stands with the victims and survivors and remains committed to working for truth, justice, and lasting peace in the State.
