The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA), Dr James Iorpuu, has disclosed that 17 out of the 23 local government areas in the state are currently facing herder attacks.
Addressing journalists on Wednesday in Makurdi, Iorpuu said only Ogbadibo, Ohimini, Konshisha, Gboko, Ushongo and one other LGA remain unaffected.
He explained that the persistent attacks had displaced hundreds of thousands of residents, leaving many homeless and financially incapacitated.
The BSEMA boss, who also serves as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, further urged the Federal Government to dredge the Rivers Benue and Niger, stressing that failure to do so would make flooding a recurring annual disaster.
Iorpuu also commended the just-concluded conference of State Emergency Management Agencies in Lagos, noting that it had broadened the knowledge base of emergency managers across the federation.
On governance, he lauded Governor Hyacinth Alia for what he described as outstanding performance since assuming office, pointing to his refusal to borrow from financial institutions as “a clear indication of purposeful leadership and accountability.”
He dismissed reports from an independent assessor which rated Alia’s administration low in performance, insisting that the governor had exceeded expectations.
According to him, the “Divine Mandate” group, which persuaded Alia to contest the 2023 governorship election, remains proud of his achievements so far, and would launch a second phase of its activities later this year to project him ahead of the 2027 polls.
Iorpuu also cautioned Benue people against individuals lobbying the governor to divert state funds for selfish interests at the expense of the larger population.
