By Ayox Ojo/Abuja
Benue Governor Hyacinth Alia has again dismissed claims that he ever denied the killings of Benue people by bandits and terrorists, insisting that his earlier comments were misinterpreted and taken out of context.
Addressing journalists on Friday at Government House Makurdi after a closed-door meeting with Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, Governor Alia said it was important for the public to understand the proper context and global meaning of terms such as genocide.
He explained that discussions around genocide must be based on the United Nations’ definition and historical context, noting that many people use the word loosely without considering its origin, its interpretation, or the criteria that qualify an event as genocide.
According to the Governor, his earlier description of the attackers “executing their plans religiously” was an idiomatic expression–similar to someone saying a task was carried out judiciously–meaning consistently and not in any religious sense, adding that the misinterpretation of his statement caused unnecessary confusion.
Governor Alia stated clearly:
“I never denied that my people were killed. I remain very firm that we have bandits and terrorists who come fully organized to destroy, maim and kill. I have consistently–yes, religiously–stated that their aim is land grabbing. This did not begin as anything religious.”
He emphasized that the crisis began as farmerherder conflicts before escalating into full-blown banditry and terrorism, noting that people from different faith backgrounds have suffered losses, therefore, attempts to frame the killings as religiously motivated were misleading and harmful.
The Governor cautioned journalists against politicizing the tragedy or amplifying misinterpretations, urging the media to seek clarification whenever issues arise rather than worsening tensions through inaccurate interpretations.
“You journalists are great minds and great hands. You are not weapons of mass destruction; you are weapons of societal construction. When something is unclear, one phone call can clarify it instead of confusing the entire society,” he said.
Governor Alia added that every loss of life in Benue weighs heavily on him as governor and called on the public to avoid trivializing the suffering of displaced families.
He reiterated that the state was attacked, violated, and its people driven from their ancestral homes–hence the large number of IDP camps in Benue today.
The Governor also warned against turning the crisis into a single-narrative issue, saying:
“The situation is multi-sectoral. Don’t reduce it to religion. Both Muslims and Christians have been killed. Benue is the most populous Christian state in the North, so naturally there are unspoken expectations, but let us not politicize people’s pain.”
On development matters, Governor Alia announced that his administration had awarded several arterial road projects within Makurdi, with full construction set to begin next week following the completion of preliminary works.
He commended Professor Soyinka for his genuine concern for the people and for visiting to see the progress being made.
In his remarks, Professor Wole Soyinka warned Nigerian leaders to be cautious about accepting help from foreign countries whose interventions might worsen the country’s security challenges.
Soyinka praised Governor Alia’s developmental strides, recalling that under the previous federal administration, Benue became a hub for terrorists in the North Central region.
He emphasized former President Buhari’s failure to stop the killings, noting that he was among the few who boldly challenged the administration’s negligence.
The Nobel Laureate said he was also in Benue to follow up on educational materials he donated during an earlier visit when many displaced children were out of school.