Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has forcefully addressed recent controversies surrounding his comments on the violent killings in the state, insisting, “I Never Denied the Killings,” amid a high-profile visit by Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka to Benue. Alia’s remarks come at a sensitive time as Benue continues to grapple with persistent violence and insecurity, with Soyinka’s visit symbolizing national and cultural solidarity.
The background to the controversy lies in escalating attacks by armed bandits in Benue, which Amnesty International has reported to have led to nearly 6,900 deaths in the state over the past two years alone—making Benue the deadliest among several Nigerian states affected by such violence.
These attacks have displaced approximately 450,000 people internally, destroying villages, infrastructure, and livelihoods in local government areas such as Ukum, Logo, Katsina-Ala, and Agatu, among others.Governor Alia clarified that his earlier statement, perceived by some as downplaying the violence, was taken out of context.
The governor emphasized that while the killings are severe, they do not constitute genocide under the legal definition. “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,” he explained. The state government, through its Commissioner for Information, Dr. Peter Oboh Egbodo, reiterated that Governor Alia has never denied the killings nor dismissed the grief of the victims’ families, highlighting ongoing efforts to collaborate with security forces and to support displaced communities.
The governor also described the conflict as “multifaceted,” involving criminality, land-use disputes, and targeted attacks, calling for intelligence-led responses rather than religious profiling or politicization of the crisis. “This government stands firmly with the people and will not relent until the cycle of violence is brought to a complete end,” the commissioner stressed.
Prof. Wole Soyinka’s visit to Benue, which occurred recently in the state capital Makurdi, added a significant cultural and moral dimension to the unfolding crisis. Soyinka, a Nobel laureate and prominent advocate for peace and justice in Nigeria, arrived ahead of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) convention, symbolizing solidarity with victims and an appeal for national attention towards restoring peace in Benue.
Eyewitnesses and local leaders have expressed mixed reactions, welcoming Soyinka’s presence as a beacon of hope but urging stronger security measures and federal intervention. Security analysts point to the need for an integrated approach combining military, community engagement, and addressing root causes such as land disputes and poverty.
In summary, Governor Alia’s firm stance that he has never denied the killings clarifies a crucial narrative amidst the complexity of Benue’s security challenges Prof. Soyinka’s visit underscores the urgent need for concerted action to quell violence and support the affected communities. Moving forward, stakeholders call for enhanced security collaboration, truthful dialogue, and sustained humanitarian efforts to prevent further loss of lives and rebuild peace in Benue State.This ongoing tragedy and the high-profile advocacy around it invite all Nigerians and policymakers to focus not only on immediate security responses but also on long-term peaceful coexistence solutions for Benue and other conflict-affected regions
