Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has said that most of the armed herders attacking local communities in the state are not Nigerians. According to him, these attackers are from Mali and speak different kinds of Fulani and Hausa that are not common in Nigeria.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Alia explained that true Nigerian herders usually carry sticks and herd cows in a traditional way. But the ones attacking Benue come fully armed with AK-47 and AK-49 rifles, which is unusual.
He said these foreign herders have been causing violence in areas like Otukpo, Ado, and Logo local government areas. Many people have lost their lives due to these attacks.
Alia added that the way these attackers speak gives them away. Their language is different, and local people who understand the dialect say it’s from Mali. He stressed that these people do not look or sound like Nigerian Fulani.
The governor’s statement highlights the growing concern about foreign armed groups entering Nigeria and causing chaos, especially in farming communities like those in Benue State.
