Governor Alia says no genocide in Benue
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has dismissed claims suggesting that the state is experiencing genocide. He stated that although Benue is facing serious security challenges, the situation should not be described as religious, ethnic, racial, national, or state-sponsored genocide.
According to the governor, the violence affecting parts of the state stems from insecurity driven by criminal activities, banditry, and long-standing communal tensions. He stressed that mislabeling the crisis as genocide creates unnecessary fear and misrepresents what the people of Benue are going through.
Governor Alia explained that the government is working closely with security agencies to restore peace and ensure displaced residents can return to their homes. He assured citizens that steps are being taken to strengthen security operations and prevent further attacks.
The governor also appealed to stakeholders, community leaders, and the media to avoid exaggerating the situation, emphasizing that accurate reporting is essential to maintaining calm and allowing authorities to implement effective solutions.
He reiterated that Benue’s challenges, though serious, are not rooted in organized attempts to wipe out any group, but rather in criminal activities that must be addressed with coordinated security responses.
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