₦airaland Forum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVHfZNqUTlc?si=xcdSkjWf1gBeS9mr

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has urged citizens not to rely on self-defence as a way to deal with the rising insecurity in the state. He warned that allowing untrained people to confront armed attackers could only make the situation worse.

Instead of that approach, Governor Alia is promoting community policing as a smarter and more lasting solution to the crisis.

While addressing the issue, he said people should not rush into using weapons, warning:

“I cautiously advise my citizenry that it is not advisable to simply pick up knives, machetes, and sticks to fight. There are ongoing conversations around community policing; I am one of the governors who projected it.”

He made these remarks during an interview on Focus Nigeria, a programme aired on African Independent Television (AIT) on Tuesday.

The governor added:

“Let me begin with my concerns. You need to be trained to understand the dynamics of fighting guerrilla warfare. The Constitution permits all of us to defend ourselves, but to what extent?”

Alia explained that community policing gives room for locals—who are already familiar with the area—to support security efforts in a more effective way.

“With community policing, it becomes easier to identify those who understand the terrain and can be mobilised to join the ranks of the community police,” he said.

He also noted that help from the federal government, especially in terms of intelligence gathering, has boosted the state’s ability to go after those responsible for the violence.

“With the federal government’s continued support now through intelligence finding and searching, I think we are going to do even more. We will identify those people, apprehend them, and create a new narrative for our three local governments and, in fact, the state,” he said.

However, the governor’s comments have sparked strong reactions online. The interview video is currently trending and has gone viral, with many social media users expressing anger and disappointment. Critics argue that Governor Alia’s stance is out of touch—especially after notable figures like Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, recently advocated for community self-protection as a necessary step to end the continuous killings in Benue State.

In addition to the insecurity, Alia pointed to internal divisions within the Benue State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as another major challenge.

“There is another layer to the challenges we have in the state here. The non-cooperation of some so-called major stakeholders, the disunity and disharmony within the ruling APC camp in the state, is quite unfortunate,” he said.
“There are some people who have been disgruntled and are yet to get back into the fold.”

He mentioned that President Bola Tinubu has advised APC members in the state to resolve their disagreements for the sake of peace and development.

In conclusion, Governor Alia firmly repeated his opposition to self-defence efforts, saying they may be driven by emotion, but won’t solve the problem.

Short Summary:

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has advised against self-defence, warning that it could worsen insecurity. He recommends community policing as a more effective alternative and praised federal support in boosting intelligence efforts. However, his comments—made during a trending AIT interview—have drawn widespread criticism online, especially since figures like CDS Musa recently supported community self-protection. Alia also blamed internal APC divisions for adding to the state’s instability and called for unity.

Personification of cowardice.

Herdsmen carry arms but their human targets are forbidden from seeking self defense.

"It is well but not well."

You are a failure, you have failed the people of benue state.

The earlier the people of benue state start defending themselves the better for them cus this coward don't care about them.

Okay, ooooo but self defense should have been the best option for you, since the youth will be guarded by the military let all the able youth rise and defend their territory from this miscreants called bandits. because the killing is becoming frequent in once upon a time peaceful serene state of Benue.

they should continue to be sitting ducks for the marauders. from tinubu's wife to this animal, party politics will always trump common sense, religion, and loyalty to their constituents.

Why not? Because "the law" will jail them for life afterwards, while their attackers walk freely?

A fake rev father, that can't pray for his people, I neva voted APC and I will neva vote the. Come 2027.a tiv man is a warrior by nature if they keep fun Ali man keep tiv man them fit

Like almost APC governors and Tinibu himself, this Guy is a FAILURE.

So what do you advocate for wicked and foolish governor

This man should be arrested . He is sick

They still have to find a practical way to defend themselves.

Any way nah way to curb this killing is getting out of hand

We all thought that Padre will make a difference

I don’t blame him though!

Someone that tried self defence and killed a Fulani herdsman the other time was sentenced to death.

Imagine this failed Governor.







Please take a moment to write a quality post with at least 40 characters.
This will make the forum more interesting for everyone

MiamiLord:
You are a failure, you have failed the people of benue state.

The earlier the people of benue state start defending themselves the better for them cus this coward don't care about them.

They'll still vote for him in mass come 2027.

Tell me who's enabling the criminals again. For a governor to say this, definitely there's much more he knows about the incident that he's not saying

You won't advocate for self-defense but you will advocate for your people maxss destruction

Your people are dying in hundreds almost every week and you don't want the to bear arm's and defend themselves. What a governor.

It's a call for anarchy! The aftermath is what matters.
The State Police bill should be passed without further delays.
The FGN Mobile Police, should be deployed to border towns

This guy is complicit in these attacks. Nothing you fit tell me.

This is pure mardness coming from a failed governor.

Ori man yi ti d@ ru sha

The most foolish government in Benue ever.

How this governor take they hide his cluelessness and ineptitude all this while. The man just won the worst governor.

immortalcrown:
Personification of cowardice.

Herdsmen carry arms but their human targets are forbidden from seeking self defense.

It is well.

It is not well ooo








At all

Says the governor with armed bodyguards all around him