Benue Boils: Ortom Blasts Alia Over False Claims That Killings Have Ended

Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has sharply criticized his successor, Governor Hyacinth Alia, accusing him of presiding over numerous mass burials in less than two years in office.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ortom voiced his frustration after watching a video where Governor Alia, while addressing a congregation at NKST Church in Ikpayongo, Gwer East Local Government Area, claimed that attacks and killings in Benue had ceased since he took office. Alia went further to accuse Ortom of staging the 2021 assassination attempt on his life and boasted that his administration had restored peace across the state. He claimed that unlike during Ortom’s tenure, when mass killings were rampant, his leadership had ushered in security, allowing residents to live without fear.

Ortom’s Fiery Response

In a swift reaction, Ortom, through his media aide Terver Akase, issued a statement in Makurdi on Monday, condemning the governor’s comments.

The statement read in part: “While we may not concern ourselves with the governor’s theatrics and his penchant for distortion, it is disheartening that he chose to make such misleading claims in front of a church congregation in Gwer East—a local government that has suffered some of the worst attacks under his watch. Many lives have been lost, countless others injured, and properties worth billions destroyed. The people of Gwer in that church must have felt deeply betrayed hearing such words from their own governor.”

Ortom pointed out that several communities across Zones A, B, and C—including Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, Kwande, Gwer East, Gwer West, Guma, Makurdi, Agatu, and Otukpo—have witnessed repeated mass burials due to ongoing violence by armed herders. He accused Alia’s administration of downplaying the gravity of the situation to paint a false narrative of peace.

Defending Benue’s Integrity

Ortom stressed that the major distinction between his administration and that of Alia was his firm stance against the expansionist agenda of pastoralists aiming to seize Benue lands. He emphasized his commitment to protecting the people and territory of Benue, accusing Alia of neglecting this crucial responsibility.