Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia has clarified that he never dismissed the ongoing k!llings in Benue State, stressing that his previous remarks were misunderstood. He reaffirmed that the violent att@cks are genuine, coordinated, and driven by land-grabbing milit@nts—not by religious motives. Alia appealed to journalists to report responsibly and avoid turning the suffering of victims into political narratives.
During his visit to Makurdi, Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka commended the governor’s development efforts and inspected ongoing projects as well as the situation of displaced persons. He also cautioned national leaders against inviting foreign involvement that could further complicate Nigeria’s security challenges.
Despite the complex, multi-layered issues facing the state, the Benue government maintains that it is fully committed to restoring peace, dignity, and sustainable development for its people.