Why I said there’s no genocide against Christians in Benue – Gov Alia opens up

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, has explained why he said the recent killings in parts of the state should not be described as a religious or ethnic genocide.

Alia had during a High-Level Policy Consultation on the Protection of the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Forcibly Displaced Persons (FDPs) held in Abuja on November 19, 2025, organized by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said the claim of genocide agaisnt Christian is false and misleading.

“In my State of Benue, we don’t have any religious, ethnic, racial, 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,” Governor Alia said, stressing the need for accurate representation of the crisis.

The Governor’s statement comes amid public concerns and media reports suggesting that the wave of violence in Benue, including attacks on communities, schools, and churches, was driven by religious motives.

Governor Alia explained that such framing could mislead public understanding and undermine efforts to address the root causes of the violence.

According to the Benue State Government, the crisis is complex, involving criminality, land-use disputes, and targeted attacks that require strategic, intelligence-driven interventions.

“It is important to emphasize that the killings should not be defined or framed purely along religious lines. Misdiagnosing the nature of the crisis may hinder the multi-sectoral solutions already being implemented,” the statement said.

Governor Alia reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the safety of all residents, regardless of faith, and highlighted ongoing efforts to restore peace, including:

Strengthening collaboration with security agencies to enhance response capacity

Providing relief and resettlement support for displaced communities

Advocating for increased national and international security presence

Initiating long-term strategies to tackle the underlying causes of violence

The government also assured residents that the grief and suffering of affected families are recognized. “His Excellency is fully aware of the weight of every life lost in Benue State, and he continues to treat the security challenges confronting the State with the urgency and seriousness they demand,” the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr. Peter Oboh Egbodo, stated.

Governor Alia has been visiting affected areas, mobilizing resources, and coordinating with security agencies to prevent further attacks, underscoring that the government “stands firmly with the people and will not relent until the cycle of violence is brought to a complete end.”