Sunday, May 17, 2026

Governor Alia watching as herdsmen freely kill Benue people, destroy farms: Lawmaker

“A disturbing fact is that these perpetrators move freely with their cattle under open grazing, despite the existence of an anti-open-grazing law,” said the Benue lawmaker.

• April 10, 2026
Armed herdsman and Governor Hyacinth Alia
Armed herdsman and Governor Hyacinth Alia

A member of the Benue House of Assembly, Peter Uche (APC/Guma I), has decried incessant attacks in his constituency that claimed many lives and destroyed properties.

Mr Uche, whose constituency covers Yelewata, where scores were killed in June 2025, said on Friday in Makurdi that the situation had not abated.

The lawmaker expressed worry that the attacks resulted in the displacement of thousands of his constituents and also brought untold hardship on the survivors.

He called for proactive government measures to address the menace, enabling the predominantly farming population to return to their farms.

“The situation is not better. We are still facing serious insecurity. Just on Wednesday, innocent people were gruesomely killed on their farms by attackers at Imande Dem.

“I was away attending the burial of the mother of the majority leader, but I am making plans to visit the affected communities and sympathise with the families who lost their loved ones,” the lawmaker said.

Mr Uche stated that, as a member of the assembly, he consistently raised several motions to draw the attention of the state’s chief security officer to the plight of his people.

The lawmaker said he had also engaged community members living in volatile areas to be security-conscious and to report suspicious persons and movements to security agencies.

“A disturbing fact is that these perpetrators move freely with their cattle under open grazing, despite the existence of an anti-open-grazing law. For reasons best known to the government, that law has not been enforced.

“At my level, I cannot enforce the law. I can only call on the government to act, which I have done repeatedly through motions in the House. But these attacks continue, and the perpetrators move freely,” he added.

He, however, commended security agencies for their relentless efforts to address the situation that has kept the people away from their farms.

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Heading 1

“Please don’t let our abductors kill us,” Oyo principal begs FG, Makinde in viral video

The state police spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, told the Peoples Gazette that the command was aware of the video.

Africa

Nigeria capable of hosting 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships, says South Africa 

Ms Lombard expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to organise a world-class event.

Rats

Health

Lagos urges increased vigilance against Lassa fever

The commissioner advised residents to store food in rodent-proof containers.

NDLEA

Anti-Corruption

Australia, UK-bound cocaine, opioids hidden in cartons intercepted in Lagos

He said the opioids included pentazocine and promethazine injections, and tramadol capsules.

Gbenga Daniel and Dapo Abiodun

Politics

Gbenga Daniel campaign group directs supporters to stay away from Ogun APC primaries

The group alleged that its supporters had become targets of political thugs and state government agents.

Image used to illustrate the story

Heading 3

Any Labour Party nomination form from Julius Abure is worthless paper, Nenadi Usman tells aspirants 

He said that all legitimate nomination forms can only be obtained through the party’s official national secretariat.