The governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia has said that his administration has been strategic in curbing the attacks by some suspected armed herdsmen in the state.

Alia said the attackers were previously carrying out their heinous acts in 17 Local Government Areas across the state but have now been restricted to three LGAs.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, the governor said his administration through the help of security agencies has fought the killers and curbed their activities.

He said at first, they were able to restrict the attackers’ operation in 17 LGAs to nine and subsequently six LGAs.

Alia noted that currently, the suspected armed herdsmen have been restricted to three LGAs in Benue.

He further stated that efforts are being made to ensure that they are completely eliminated from the state.

Further describing the results recorded following the incessant killing of residents of Benue, Alia said only those conversant with the incidents in the state can understand the efforts put in by his administration.

His words, “17 Local Governments were user attack, we fought it all down to nine Local Governments, then we fought it down to six Local Governments, now we have fought it down to three local governments; that is a huge milestone.

“You can only appreciate this if you are within the state or if you are in the dull understanding of this,” Alia noted.

Also acknowledging that the state government has faced several challenges in the fight against the attackers, the governor assured that he would continue to work towards protecting the lives and properties of the people of Benue.

“So, there are frustrations quite alright, but is the milestone made good enough and satisfactory? There is so much work we have to do for us to say, yes,” he added.