Genocide: Gov Alia clarifies comment on Benue killings

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on Friday clarified his recent comments on the nature of killings in the state. This is as public reactions trailed the remarks he made on the matter at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) policy consultation on Wednesday in Abuja. Speaking at the event, Alia said, “In my State […]

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on Friday clarified his recent comments on the nature of killings in the state.

This is as public reactions trailed the remarks he made on the matter at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) policy consultation on Wednesday in Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Alia said, “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. Do we have a number of insecurities in the State? Yes, we do, but it is not genocide.”

The governor, in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr. Peter Oboh Egbodo, said his comments were not intended to deny the severity of attacks or diminish the suffering of victims and their families.

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The statement noted that Alia’s position was meant to ensure accurate classification of the crisis and to avoid framing the killings solely as religiously motivated.

It further explained that mislabeling the violence could hinder ongoing security and policy responses.

The statement described the conflict as multifaceted, involving criminality, land-use disputes, and targeted violent incidents that require coordinated and intelligence-led interventions, noting that the governor remains concerned about the plight of all affected communities, regardless of religious or ethnic background.

He added that his administration has strengthened collaboration with security agencies, supported displaced persons, pushed for increased federal security presence, and initiated long term strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of the violence.

The statement emphasised Alia’s efforts to restore peace in the state, urging the public to view the governor’s remarks within the broader context of his commitment to ending the cycle of violence in Benue.