‘I Do Not Support Self-Defence’ — Benue Gov. Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, Opposes Citizens Taking Up Self-Defence

Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia has cautioned residents against resorting to self-defence in response to ongoing attacks, warning that untrained individuals confronting armed assailants could escalate the crisis.

Speaking on AIT’s Focus Nigeria on Tuesday, Alia emphasized the need for strategic security solutions, advocating instead for community policing as a more effective and sustainable measure.Nigerian entertainment events

“You need to be trained to understand the dynamics of fighting guerrilla warfare,” the governor said. “The Constitution permits us to defend ourselves, but to what extent?”

Alia advised citizens not to react impulsively by arming themselves with knives, machetes, or sticks. “I cautiously advise my people—it’s not wise to pick up weapons without training. There are active discussions about community policing, and I’ve been one of its key promoters.”

Dismissing the popular notion that “desperate times call for desperate measures,” the governor warned that emotionally-driven, uncoordinated responses would only deepen the danger. “If you’re unprepared and unfamiliar with tactical confrontations, you could make things worse,” he said.

He explained that community policing enables the state to engage residents who understand the local terrain and can be effectively integrated into security operations.

“With community policing, it’s easier to identify people who know the area and can be mobilized to support local law enforcement,” Alia said.

He also praised the federal government’s ongoing support, especially in intelligence gathering, which he said has boosted the state’s ability to track and apprehend the attackers.

“With the support we’re receiving from the federal government—particularly in intelligence operations—we’re now better equipped to identify and arrest those responsible. We’re working toward a new, safer narrative for our affected local governments and the entire state,” he added.

Alia also linked part of Benue’s security challenges to internal divisions within the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He blamed the disharmony among party leaders for undermining efforts to stabilize the state.

“There’s another layer to our problems—the lack of cooperation from some stakeholders in the ruling APC. The disunity is unfortunate,” he said. “Some aggrieved individuals still haven’t returned to the fold.”

He noted that President Bola Tinubu has urged APC leaders in Benue to reconcile for the sake of peace and development.

Governor Alia concluded by reiterating his stance against self-defence initiatives, describing them as emotional reactions that offer no lasting solution to insecurity.