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The Benue State Government has strongly refuted claims made by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, that all 13 council wards in Ukum Local Government Area are under occupation by herders and that the major town of Zaki-Biam is surrounded within a three-kilometre radius.
In a statement on Arise TV on Monday, January 19, 2026, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia, Sir Tersoo Kula, described the assertions as “misinformation” and dismissed them as inaccurate.
Kula clarified that while some council wards in Ukum had experienced attacks in the past, and in certain instances herders had temporarily occupied affected areas, coordinated security operations involving the state government, federal security agencies, Operation Zenda, and the state’s joint task force “Anyam Nyôr” had successfully dislodged the attackers.
He emphasized that Logo Local Government Area, located approximately 15 kilometres from Zaki-Biam, remains fully accessible, citing a recent thanksgiving mass held in Logo for Prof. Steve Ugba — a member of the Revenue Mobilisation and Fiscal Commission — which was attended freely by residents and visitors without any security impediments.
Describing Ukum as a major hub for yam production in Benue State, the North-Central region, and Nigeria as a whole, Kula pointed to the significant drop in yam prices in local markets as clear evidence that harvesting activities are ongoing and communities are resettling peacefully.
“Many people have returned to their farms to harvest what was left, resettled in their communities, and are clearing their lands in preparation for the next farming season,” he said. “When attacks were widespread, yam prices were high. The current drop in prices clearly indicates that farmers have returned to their fields and are harvesting their crops peacefully.”
Addressing allegations that herder attacks had intensified under the Alia administration, Kula traced the roots of the crisis back to earlier periods, recalling incidents as far back as 2012, including an attack on former Governor Gabriel Suswam during a visit to the village of the late Tor Tiv, HRM Alfred Akawe Torkula.
On the enforcement of the state’s anti-open grazing and ranching law, Kula rejected claims of non-implementation, stating that the current administration had strengthened enforcement by shifting focus from merely confiscating cattle to arresting those controlling and directing the animals.
“Some of the herders involved have been arrested, are in remand, or are standing trial,” he noted, adding that the government had also introduced Civil Protection Guards to replace previous enforcement structures accused of misconduct.
Kula further disclosed that Governor Alia had launched Operation Anyam Nyôr to complement existing federal operations such as Operation Whirl Stroke and Operation Zenda, all of which have contributed to improved security and the return of displaced persons to their homes.
He revealed that upon assuming office, the Alia administration inherited an estimated 1.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) across camps in the state. Recent verification exercises, supported by international partners, have shown a significant reduction in that number, with many residents now resettled in their communities.
The Chief Press Secretary reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to sustaining security efforts and countering what he described as unfounded narratives about the situation in Benue State.
