Northern Christian youths blast Gov Alia’s denial of genocide in Benue

The Northern Christian Professionals Association (NCPA), one of Nigeria’s largest faith-based youth networks, has condemned Governor Hyacinth Alia’s continued denial of attacks targeting Christians in Benue State.

The condemnation follows the Governor’s recent media briefing where he claimed, “there is no Christian genocide anywhere in Benue or in the nation.”

In a statement issued Thursday, NCPA described the remarks as “embarrassing coming from a Reverend” and “a dangerous affront to Christians in Benue State and to Nigeria’s democratic ethos.” The Association demanded that Governor Alia retract his comments and issue an apology to Christian communities nationwide.

In November 2025, the Governor stated: “In my state of Benue, we don’t have any religious, ethnic, racial, national or state genocide… We have insecurities, but it is not genocide.”

Observers have criticized the Governor for offering inconsistent explanations of the attacks, from labeling them “skirmishes” to blaming foreign fighters or local politicians.

NCPA argued these contradictions reflect either a failure to understand the crisis or a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, undermining his credibility as a clergyman.

“The governor must, as a matter of urgency, demonstrate that his administration stands for the protection of the Benue Valley and Nigeria’s Christian values,” the statement reads, signed by Comr. Ingule Matthew Sughter, National Publicity Secretary, NCPA.