Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has issued a formal demand to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Mkar, Gboko, Benue State, Professor Zacharys Gundu, over what he described as “false and defamatory” allegations linking him to the worsening insecurity in parts of the Middle Belt.

In a letter dated July 22, 2025, and signed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Ahmed Raji, on behalf of the governor, Professor Gundu was asked to retract the statements he allegedly made on national television and issue a public apology, or face legal action.

The statements in question were said to be made during a recent town hall programme aired on News Central Television, where Professor Gundu alleged that Governor Sule, like his predecessor, was “masking the problem” of violent attacks linked to herdsmen in the region. He further claimed that the governor was “giving haven” and “allocating lands” to those responsible for the violence.

Quoting the VC’s remarks, the letter sighted by The Guardian referenced the following statement: “The issue of Nasarawa State has come up, and we know that even during Al-Makura’s time, Fulanis were coming there and attacking Benue State, and Al-Makura would call them international hunters… Even today, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Sule, is also masking the problem… It is people like Sule who are giving them haven, who are giving them refuge, who are getting the lands of his own citizens and giving it to these people.”

Describing the comments as unfounded, reckless and defamatory, the letter demanded that Gundu provide evidence to support his claims or retract the statements and issue a public apology in at least five national newspapers within seven days of receipt of the letter.

“Our client has been gravely injured by these allegations in the estimation of right-thinking members of the society,” Dr. Raji wrote. “The damage occasioned by your deliberate and ill-advised statements is unquantifiable. However, our client may be assuaged if you issue a public retraction and tender an unreserved apology as demanded. Failing this, we have our client’s firm instructions to initiate legal proceedings to seek redress and exemplary damages against you.”

Efforts to reach Professor Gundu for a response were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.