Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has described the interventions by the Federal Government and the United States as "very helpful" in addressing the persistent insecurity that has turned the North-Central region into a theatre of bloodshed, while also issuing a stark warning that fragmented responses and regional indifference could undo the progress made. Alia made the remarks on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, where he acknowledged the deployment of additional military formations and security units to areas that have experienced repeated attacks. The governor stressed that the region must move beyond merely reacting to attacks after they occur and focus instead on identifying the sources of violence and preventing further bloodshed.
"The intervention by the United States was very, very helpful to us. We must say the fact as it is, and the interventions that the federal government has been doing is very supportive of us," Alia declared, offering a rare and candid assessment of the role of international and federal security support. He disclosed that one of the military divisions recently established by President Bola Tinubu would cover Benue, Kogi and Nasarawa states, with its headquarters expected to be located in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. According to the governor, troops would be stationed in communities that have suffered persistent attacks, while other security units would be deployed to strategic locations across the region.
However, Alia's acknowledgment of progress was tempered by a stark warning about the dangers of fragmentation and indifference. He expressed concern over what he described as fragmented responses from security agencies and stressed that states within the North-Central region must work together to protect their people. "We need peace in our region. We need to get into the sources where we are very vulnerable, and their acts are continuing. We need to know those who are responsible for this," he said. He argued that no state in the region could afford to remain indifferent to insecurity affecting its neighbours, warning that violence in one state could eventually threaten the wider region. "So, if you belong to the region and you seemingly comfortable while the others are not, then we cannot talk as a common entity," Alia declared.
The governor also weighed in on the contentious debate over whether the killings in parts of northern Nigeria should be described as a Christian genocide. He acknowledged that there is broad agreement on the scale and severity of the killings but noted that opinions differ on whether the violence specifically constitutes genocide against Christians. His comments come amid heightened international scrutiny of the conflict, with the United States having previously listed Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over allegations of Christian persecution. While Alia has previously pushed back against the genocide narrative, he has also warned against misinterpreting his position.
The governor's call for regional unity comes as the North-Central region continues to grapple with a complex web of violence, including banditry, farmer-herder clashes, and terrorist attacks. Alia maintained that the region possessed significant economic potential but could not fully benefit from its resources without peace and security. His comments also come amid continued concerns over attacks, killings and abductions in parts of the North-Central region, particularly Benue and neighbouring states. The governor reiterated the need for greater cooperation among governments, security agencies and communities, stressing that sustained peace was essential for the region to unlock its economic potential.
The governor's remarks highlight a critical tension in Nigeria's security landscape: while foreign and federal interventions may be providing short-term relief, the long-term solution requires a level of regional coordination and preventive strategy that has so far proven elusive. The question now is whether the praise for US and FG support will translate into sustained action or remain another chapter in the cycle of violence and empty promises.
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