Governor Alia Orders Probe into Naka Destruction, Condemns Violence

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has initiated a committee to investigate the recent destruction of the Gwer West Local Government Secretariat, the Ter-Tyoshin palace, and several private properties in Naka town. The governor announced this decision during his visit to the affected area on Thursday.

Governor Alia visited the site to assess the extent of the damage, which reportedly occurred during protests triggered by persistent herdsmen attacks in the area. Expressing his disapproval, the governor condemned the acts of destruction and appealed to residents to remain calm while trusting the government’s ongoing efforts to resolve the security crisis.

The governor reassured the people that his administration is committed to restoring peace and preventing further violence. He also issued a strong warning against community members collaborating with external aggressors, emphasizing that those found culpable would face the full weight of the law.

During the visit, the Ter-Tyoshin, Chief Daniel Abomtse, described the attack on his palace as a deliberate and coordinated act of sabotage. He alleged that certain individuals exploited the protests to further a criminal agenda aimed at discrediting the government. Chief Abomtse expressed skepticism about the protest’s authenticity, noting the absence of placards and other conventional signs of demonstration. He also questioned the rationale behind taking corpses to government offices or palaces rather than mortuaries.

He lauded Governor Alia for his prompt visit and urged the government to identify and penalize the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, Christiana Gbagbul, a staff member at the Gwer West Local Government, and Nyiuma Nicholas, the Commander of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard in the area, accused the military of involvement in the attacks. They demanded the military’s redeployment from the area, arguing that internal security should be handled by the police.