Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, directed security agencies to immediately commence coordinated operations to dislodge identified armed herder terrorist camps in the forests around Apa, Otukpo, Gwer-West and other parts of the State.
The Governor emphasised that the protection of lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of his administration, thus mandated a sustained, intelligence-driven security crackdown aimed at neutralizing all threats and restoring confidence among citizens, particularly in the affected local government areas.
Alia, who stated these while reacting to the brutal attacks on Edikwu-Ankpali, Ikobi, and Adija in Apa Local Government Area, as well as Upu village in Otukpo Local Government Area that left scores dead, said that the attacks can no longer be tolerated.
Alia said the decisive directive was necessitated by the renewed waves of violent attacks on innocent communities, stressing that the unprovoked attacks were unacceptable and increasingly hydra-headed.
The Governor noted that the criminal elements have exploited forested areas as operational bases to launch attacks, and emphasised the immediate need for them to be flushed out without delay.
Alia assured residents that the State Government is working in close synergy with federal security agencies and will not relent until lasting peace is achieved.
The Governor urged the people to remain vigilant, cooperate with security operatives, and continue to provide credible information that will aid ongoing operations.
While commiserating with families who lost their loved ones in the recent attacks, Alia reiterated his administration’s resolve to confront criminality head-on and ensure that Benue State is safe for all.
