By IDNN NEWSdesk | April 23, 2025 | IDNN.COM.NG
Nigeria’s Middle Belt is under siege, say the governors of Benue and Plateau States. In separate interviews on Channels Television’s Politics Today, both Governor Hyacinth Alia and Governor Caleb Muftwang raised alarms that foreign militants, not traditional Nigerian herders, are responsible for the ongoing bloodshed.
“They don’t look or sound Nigerian” — Alia
Benue’s Governor Alia revealed that the attackers speak strange dialects and display foreign characteristics. He noted that they arrive fully armed with AK-47s and AK-49s, unlike the traditional herders of old.
“These folks don’t speak like Nigerians. Even their Hausa is different. Locals say they sound Malian,” Alia said.
According to Alia, intelligence reports link the attackers to foreign territories, including Cameroon, and parts of Taraba and Nasarawa.
72 Killed in Benue Over the Weekend
In the latest violence, at least 72 people were killed in coordinated attacks on Ukum and Logo LGAs in Benue State.
Governor Alia emphasized that the violence marks a new, more dangerous phase, distinct from prior herder-farmer conflicts. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene swiftly and protect citizens.
Muftwang: “This is Genocide and Land Grabbing”
Governor Muftwang of Plateau echoed the concerns. He confirmed that more than 60 communities have been overtaken by invaders, calling the violence systematic, strategic, and genocidal.
“Many of them don’t even speak a Nigerian language. This is a coordinated land grab — and a slow genocide,” he said.
He added that Plateau is seeing a surge in cross-border attacks, with invaders exploiting porous entry points from the Northwest and neighboring countries.
CAN, Churches Lead Peace Walks
Christian groups, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), staged a peace protest on Monday. They demanded urgent government action and military deployment to secure affected regions.
In his Easter address, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that “forces of evil will not prevail.” But critics, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, said the government’s response lacks urgency.
Crisis Deepens: Over 100 Killed in Plateau in April
The violence is spreading. More than 100 people were killed in Bokkos and Bassa earlier this month. These attacks follow the 2023 Christmas Eve massacre, where 150 people were killed in Plateau overnight.
The pattern is clear. This is no longer sporadic violence. This is organized ethnic cleansing masquerading as communal conflict.
Conclusion
Governors Alia and Muftwang have delivered a clear warning: The Middle Belt is being invaded. The federal government must respond with urgency, clarity, and sustained action to prevent further bloodshed.