“They Came Through the River and Attacked Security First” – Gov Alia on Benue Massacre

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has disclosed that the armed herders who recently carried out a deadly attack in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, entered the community through a nearby river and first targeted military and police checkpoints.

Speaking on Arise Television’s *Prime Time* on Monday evening, the governor said the assault lasted for about two hours and occurred as the attackers were retreating from Apa and heading toward neighbouring Nasarawa State.

“It lasted for two hours,” Alia said. “In Yelewata, there is a military and police checkpoint. This is how it happened—the river is not too far by this axis, so we understand that they came by the round of the river.”

The attackers, according to the governor, first launched an offensive on the security posts guarding the area. “When they got to this town, the first thing they did was to attack the military and police who usually man the road around there. They were pushed back, so they ran back. They came in numbers, as usual,” he said.

The attack, which occurred a few days ago, reportedly left more than 200 people dead, making it one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent times.