Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has alleged that the armed herders attacking communities in the state are not Nigerians but foreigners from Mali.
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He said this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
According to the governor, the attackers speak versions of Fulani and Hausa languages that are unfamiliar in Nigeria. He also noted that their physical appearance and behavior do not resemble those of the local Fulani herders, who traditionally herd cattle with sticks and are unarmed.
Alia observed that Nigerians are generally able to identify members of different ethnic groups such as Fulani, Hausa, or Yoruba, but the attackers do not fit into these categories. He believes that their use of sophisticated weapons and unfamiliar dialects suggests they are foreign elements.
The governor’s claim has sparked public interest, especially in light of the persistent security challenges in Benue. While some believe his assertion may hold truth, others insist that further investigation is needed to verify the origin of the attackers.
