A former Benue State governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jeffrey Kuraun, has publicly criticized Governor Hyacinth Alia’s handling of the unrelenting killings in the state, describing it as inadequate and lacking decisive leadership.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday, Kuraun condemned what he called the "senseless and escalating violence" across Benue communities, urging the governor to rise beyond rhetoric and deploy concrete solutions.

“Benue cannot continue to suffer avoidable bloodshed while receiving the largest monthly allocation for security among all Nigerian states,” Kuraun stated.

“If Benue receives over ₦3 billion monthly, and yet communities remain exposed to attacks, then the effectiveness of fund utilisation is in question.”

He noted that security votes—designed for proactive intelligence gathering, law enforcement support, and community policing—must not become a shadowy line item but should instead produce tangible safety outcomes.

Kuraun titled his statement: “Accountability Over Excuses: Benue Must Lead the Security Response”, insisting that Governor Alia, a clergyman-turned-politician, cannot continue to point fingers at federal agencies or past administrations.

 “There should be no room for blame games. Leadership means taking initiative, not waiting on Abuja or external actors,” he added.

Kuraun called for a coordinated local security response, stressing that traditional rulers, vigilante groups, and local leaders must be formally engaged and supported. He also advocated for the training and equipping of community policing units as a frontline defense against recurring attacks.

 “There should be a public audit of security spending to rebuild public trust and ensure that votes are not misappropriated. Transparency is non-negotiable,” he said.

The former aspirant emphasized that Benue must move from opaque expenditure to measurable security results, warning that “lives must matter more than politics.”

 “Benue is not just a line item on a budget. It is home to millions of Nigerians whose lives and livelihoods are at stake. Inaction is no longer acceptable.”

Kuraun’s statement comes amid growing public outrage over recent massacres in parts of Benue State, particularly in Yelewata and other rural communities where hundreds have been killed in renewed herdsmen attacks.