Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, on Wednesday firmly rejected widespread claims that religious or ethnic genocide is taking place in the state, insisting that despite persistent insecurity, the situation does not meet any international definition of genocide.
Speaking during a public engagement on the security situation in Benue, the governor—who is also a Catholic priest—said he was compelled to address what he described as dangerous misinformation being circulated by some groups and individuals.
“In my state of Benue, we don’t have any religious, any ethnic, any racial, any national or state genocide. We don’t have that… I’m speaking to you as a reverend father in the Church. I’m speaking to you as a governor of a state. If there were any, particularly in my state or any part of Nigeria, I would have been the very number one person to make a noise,” Alia declared.
The governor said reports portraying Benue as a theatre of religious cleansing were misleading and inconsistent with the United Nations’ criteria for genocide. According to him, although the state has suffered numerous attacks in recent months, the violence should be properly classified as terrorism and criminal aggression, not religious or ethnic warfare.
Rejects Claims Of ‘Jihad’ In Benue
Alia also dismissed suggestions that a jihadist movement or religious war is underway in the state. He said such narratives were being promoted by what he termed “religious bandits,” accusing certain clerics and commentators of inflaming tensions through inflammatory speeches and unverified claims.
“Some people, by what they speak, fan the embers of discord. There is no jihad in Nigeria, and none in Benue,” he added.
Violence ‘Directed And Planned’ — But Not Genocide
While rejecting the genocide label, the governor admitted that Benue State remains under heavy security strain. He described recent attacks as “directed and planned”, asserting that they are carried out by highly coordinated groups, many of whom he believes are foreign terrorists rather than local herders.
He said intelligence reports suggest that the attackers operate like trained militias—striking communities at night, killing civilians, and then retreating.
Engagement With International Community
Alia revealed that he had engaged U.S. officials, including the American Ambassador, to clarify the true nature of the violence in Benue State. He reportedly told the envoy that the state’s situation does not satisfy any of the recognised parameters for genocide, urging international partners to rely on verified information rather than sensational claims.
The governor reiterated his opposition to calls for civilians to take up arms in self-defence, warning that such actions could escalate chaos. Instead, he advocated strengthened community policing structures, arguing that locals who understand the terrain are best positioned to support security agencies.
Political, Religious Reactions Continue
Alia’s remarks have stirred political debate, especially among federal lawmakers from Benue State who previously denied allegations that politicians sponsor attacks in the state. His criticism of certain religious leaders has also sparked discussions about the role of faith-based groups in conflict messaging.
Despite the controversy, the governor insists that his stance is based on truth, responsibility, and a desire to prevent further escalation of ethnic or religious suspicion.
He maintained that while the violence in Benue State is severe and unacceptable, mislabelling it as genocide only distracts from devising effective solutions.
