The Benue State Government has dismissed as deliberate misinformation a short video clip circulating on social media claiming that Governor Hyacinth Alia exonerated Fulani herders from killings and destruction of property in the state.
In an official statement on Monday, July 20, 2026, the government described the clip as a mischievously edited portion of an old video from July 2023. The original recording captured Governor Alia’s reaction to the attack on Akpuuna village in Ukum Local Government Area, where hoodlums on motorcycles killed about 24 persons.
The statement clarified that the Governor was speaking specifically about the Akpuuna attack based on credible intelligence from security agencies, eyewitnesses, and survivors, which indicated that the attackers were home-grown bandits. It emphasized that the Governor did not make a general comment on the broader security situation in Benue State.
The government noted that insecurity in the state involves multiple layers, including home-grown bandits, kidnappers, and armed Fulani herders, and warned that recycling the old video is part of a calculated political effort by some Abuja politicians and their allies to set the Governor against the people.
Governor Alia’s administration, the statement added, remains committed to tackling security challenges head-on through practical interventions and logistics support to security agencies, rather than engaging in political propaganda.
The government urged residents to verify information sources and refrain from spreading fake news, describing the trend as a threat to democratic stability and social cohesion in Benue State.
