By Joyce Ekeh
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, yesterday demanded the immediate resignation of Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, over what it described as his administration’s failure to adequately protect lives and property amid persistent killings and attacks across the state.
The rights group said the latest killing of 11 people, including four mobile police officers, in Ayilamo, Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area, underscored the worsening security crisis confronting Benue communities.
In a press statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA accused the governor of failing to demonstrate the capacity required to protect residents despite the continued attacks on communities across the state.
The association said: “Governor Alia cannot continue to govern as if the persistent bloodshed in Benue is a normal security challenge.”
It therefore urged the governor to “accept responsibility for his administration’s security failures and resign if he can no longer guarantee the protection of the people entrusted to his government.”
The latest attack on Ayilamo reportedly occurred between Thursday night, September 10, and the early hours of Friday, September 11, when heavily armed assailants invaded the community.
The police confirmed that 11 people were killed in the attack, comprising seven civilians and four mobile police officers.
The slain officers were identified as ASP Paul Ina and Inspectors Mohammed Yusuf, Oge Ikechukwu and Edeh Andrew.
HURIWA condemned the attack and called for a comprehensive investigation to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible.
The group also demanded accountability for what it described as repeated security failures that had allowed armed groups to attack communities, kill residents and destroy livelihoods.
The association cited the scale of killings recorded in Benue since the beginning of the Tinubu administration as evidence of the severity of the crisis.
According to Amnesty International, at least 6,896 people were killed in Benue between May 29, 2023 and May 2025, making the state the worst affected among the states covered by its investigation.
Amnesty also reported that all 23 local government areas of the state had suffered attacks, with more than 200 villages sacked.
The violence escalated in June 2025 when more than 100 people were reportedly killed in the Yelewata attack in Guma Local Government Area, while thousands were displaced from their homes.
Amnesty International subsequently reported that more than 500,000 people had been displaced across Benue.
HURIWA said the continuing attacks demonstrated that rural communities remained dangerously exposed to armed groups.
It recalled that Catholic leaders and other stakeholders from Benue had repeatedly raised concerns over the killings, including during engagements with United States lawmakers.
According to the association, the international attention should have compelled stronger and more coordinated action by the federal and state governments.
HURIWA also expressed concern over what it described as attempts by political authorities to minimise the severity of attacks on vulnerable communities.
It insisted that Nigeria must not normalise “terrorism, mass killings or the systematic displacement of rural communities.”
The rights group consequently called on President Bola Tinubu to strengthen security operations in Benue, protect vulnerable communities and ensure that those responsible for the attacks, including their alleged sponsors, were brought to justice.
HURIWA said security agencies must thoroughly investigate the Ayilamo killings and other attacks in the state.
The association maintained that Nigerians had the right to demand accountability from elected officials whose constitutional responsibilities included the protection of lives and property.
