Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has ordered the formation of a committee to investigate the causes behind the recent devastation in Naka town, where the Gwer West Local Government Secretariat, the Ter-Tyoshin palace, and several private properties were destroyed.
The governor announced the inquiry during a visit to the affected area on Thursday, where he assessed the significant damage caused by what is believed to be a protest related to the ongoing herdsmen attacks in the region.
Alia condemned the acts of destruction, urging residents to trust in his administration’s efforts to address the growing security challenges.
He reassured the people that the government is dedicated to restoring peace and preventing further violence in the state.
In a stern message, Alia warned that anyone found aiding external aggressors would face the full force of the law.
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During the visit, Ter-Tyoshin, Chief Daniel Abomtse, described the attack on his palace as a coordinated act of sabotage.
He claimed that some individuals had exploited the protests as an opportunity to carry out a criminal agenda designed to tarnish the government’s image. Abomtse expressed skepticism that the attack was a legitimate protest, pointing out the lack of placards and formal grievances from the demonstrators.
He also noted that it is customary for bodies to be taken to mortuaries, not government offices or royal palaces.
The Ter-Tyoshin commended Governor Alia for his visit and urged the government to identify and punish the perpetrators.
Additionally, local officials, including Christiana Gbagbul from the Gwer West Local Government and Nyiuma Nicholas, Commander of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard in the area, accused the military of complicity in the attacks.
They called for the redeployment of military personnel, arguing that internal security should be managed by the police rather than the military.
