The Benue State Government has addressed public reactions to Governor Hyacinth Alia’s recent remarks at the High-Level Policy Consultation on Human Rights Protection for IDPs and Forcibly Displaced Persons, held by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja on November 19, 2025.
In the statement under discussion, the Governor clarified that Benue is not experiencing genocide defined along religious, ethnic, racial, or national lines, though he admitted that the State is battling various forms of insecurity.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr. Peter Oboh Egbodo, said the Governor’s comments were misunderstood by some sections of the public. He stressed that the Governor did not intend to diminish the gravity of the killings or the grief of families who have lost loved ones.
According to the Commissioner, Governor Alia remains fully aware of the toll the violence has taken on communities and continues to treat security issues with utmost urgency. He explained that the Governor’s clarification was aimed at ensuring accurate public discourse and avoiding mislabeling the conflict in ways that may hinder effective solutions.
Dr. Egbodo noted that the crisis in Benue is complex, involving criminality, land-related tensions, and targeted attacks that require strategic, intelligence-led responses. Framing the situation strictly as a religious conflict, he said, could misrepresent the problem and delay meaningful interventions.
He emphasized that Governor Alia remains deeply concerned about the safety of every resident—Christians, Muslims, traditional believers, and all law-abiding citizens—and is not insensitive to the suffering of affected communities.
The Commissioner highlighted several actions taken by the Governor, including strengthening collaboration with security agencies, supporting displaced persons with relief and resettlement efforts, advocating for increased security presence at national and international levels, and initiating long-term plans to address the root causes of violence.
Dr. Egbodo reaffirmed that the Governor continues to sympathize with affected families, visit attacked communities, and deploy all resources available to restore peace and security.
He urged the public to view the Governor’s remarks in the broader context of his commitment to safeguarding Benue State, adding that the administration will not relent until the cycle of violence is completely halted.