Amid the rising killings in Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia has asserted that the people needed the Federal Government’s absolute support and not a declaration of a state of emergency.
 
Speaking on a live programme yesterday, the governor submitted that the prevailing situation was not too much for him to handle, adding that he needed the support of the Federal Government to tackle the crisis.
  
Stating that his administration could end the killings, Alia added that he needed more support to evict killer herders invading Benue communities. His words: “What we need is emergency help for now. We need absolute support. The Federal Government is supported. They sent two armoured tanks that came in. Our situation had changed. We had a better narrative, but what we need to do is to get our people back home, to drive out the invaders, the armed invaders, who have brought in people who do not even speak the Nigerian languages we speak. Let them move back to wherever they came from, and allow us farmers to go back to our ancestral land. Calling for any emergency does not occur here.”
  
The governor dismissed the claim that the state’s security situation might be too much for him to handle. 
 According to him, his administration has reduced the number of local government areas under attack from 17 to six.
  
This, according to him, indicates that his government can tackle the rampant killings and destruction of properties in the state.
  
“We couldn’t have trimmed it from 17 local governments in the front lines of the attacks to nine and then now to six, which means we can do this, but we need help. And that is a fact,” the governor said.

HOWEVER, former governor of the state, Samuel Ortom, has suspended all elaborate activities planned for his 64th birthday in solidarity with victims of the ongoing violent attacks. He announced the decision in a statement issued by his media aide, Terver Akase, yesterday.
 
The ex-governor said his choice to forgo celebrations was in response to the tragic events unfolding across Benue.
 
“In light of the ongoing intensified invasion, attacks, and senseless killings of innocent Benue people by Fulani terrorists across various local government areas, I have decided not to hold any celebration or festivities,” Ortom stated.
 
Instead, he said he would stand with the victims and their families, expressing deep sympathy and acknowledging their pain and loss. Ortom also thanked the people of Benue and Nigerians nationwide for their support.
 
“I remain grateful to God Almighty for His mercy, good health, and blessings over the past 64 years, and I reaffirm my commitment to the service of God and humanity in the years ahead,” he said.