Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia vows crackdown on herdsmen attacks while urging revival of Taraku Mills

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia of Nigeria condemned attacks by suspected armed herdsmen on Akpachi Village and the Otukpo‑Nobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area, which killed scores of residents and injured many others. He ordered security agencies to intensify patrols, coordinate with neighboring states, pursue the perpetrators and prevent further violence, warning that the attacks threaten peace and agricultural progress.

During an unscheduled inspection of the revived Taraku Mills in Gwer East Local Government Area, Alia pledged to combat the insecurity that endangers farms and the multi‑billion‑naira mill’s restoration. He declared that “terrorists must leave Benue,” urged strict law enforcement, and highlighted the mill’s potential to boost the state’s agricultural value chain, create jobs and supply national food needs, urging farmers to increase production ahead of the mill’s restart.