The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded the immediate resignation of Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, over the worsening killings and insecurity in the state.
In a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said Alia had failed in his responsibility to protect the lives and property of Benue residents.
HURIWA said the governor could no longer hide behind the general security challenges in Nigeria to explain the continued attacks on communities and the killing of innocent residents.
The association said the bloodshed under the watch of the state government had become a serious leadership failure that required accountability.
HURIWA pointed to the scale of killings in Benue since May 29, 2023, as evidence of the worsening security crisis.
Amnesty International reported in May 2025 that at least 6,896 people had been killed in Benue since the beginning of the Tinubu administration.
The organisation also reported that all 23 local government areas in the state had suffered attacks and that more than 200 villages had been sacked.
HURIWA said such figures should force the government to take stronger action instead of issuing routine condemnations after every attack.
The association recalled the June 2025 attack on Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, where more than 100 people were reported killed and thousands displaced.
Amnesty International later reported that more than 500,000 people had been displaced across Benue.
HURIWA said the continued attacks showed that communities in the state remained dangerously exposed.
The association is particularly concerned about the latest attack on Ayilamo in Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area.
According to local sources, armed attackers invaded the community from Thursday night, September 10, into the early hours of Friday, September 11.
The police confirmed the attack and put the death toll at 11, comprising seven civilians and four mobile police officers.
The slain officers were identified as ASP Paul Ina; Inspectors Mohammed Yusuf, Oge Ikechukwu and Edeh Andrew.
HURIWA condemned the killings and demanded a full investigation into the attack.
The association called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the attackers and investigations into their financiers and sponsors.
HURIWA said the Ayilamo attack could not be treated as another isolated incident.
It said repeated attacks had left many Benue communities living in fear of death, displacement and destruction.
HURIWA asked: How many more Benue residents must be killed before those responsible for protecting them accept responsibility?
The association said Governor Alia could not continue to occupy the Government House while communities were repeatedly attacked and residents killed.
HURIWA also recalled repeated warnings by Catholic leaders and other Benue stakeholders, including during engagements with United States lawmakers.
The association said the international attention on the Benue crisis should compel both the state and Federal Governments to take decisive action.
HURIWA also condemned attempts to minimise or deny the scale of the attacks.
It warned that denying the killings would not bring back the dead or protect communities from future attacks.
HURIWA said Nigeria must not become a country where mass killings are reduced to statistics and displaced citizens are left to live as refugees in their own state.
The association therefore called on Governor Alia to accept responsibility for the security situation under his administration and resign if he could no longer protect the people of Benue.
HURIWA said public office carries consequences when government repeatedly fails to protect citizens.
The association also called on President Bola Tinubu to treat the Benue crisis as a national emergency.
It demanded stronger security operations, better intelligence and the immediate protection of vulnerable communities.
HURIWA further demanded a thorough investigation into the Ayilamo killings and previous attacks in Benue.
It called for the arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators and investigation of those who finance, arm or support them.
The association also demanded stronger protection for rural communities and urgent measures to stop further displacement.
HURIWA said Nigerians have the right to demand accountability from elected officials responsible for protecting lives and property.
The people of Benue deserve more than condolences after every massacre. They deserve security, justice and a government that can protect them.
Hyacinth Alia
