Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has clarified that despite security challenges, the situation in the state does not meet the United Nations’ criteria for genocide.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has dismissed claims of genocide in the state, stating at an NHRC consultative forum in Abuja that the insecurity facing communities does not align with internationally recognised definitions.
“In my state of Benue, we do not have any religious, ethnic, racial, national, or state genocide. We do not have that,” he said, stressing that while the state has witnessed significant violence, it should not be mischaracterised.
Alia explained that the long-running tensions stem from conflicts between agro-pastoralists and crop farmers, which escalated over time but “do not fit the parameters of a genocide.”
Acknowledging past casualties, he cautioned against politicising the crisis. “For those who seek to politicise everything, there is no genocide in Benue State. But we do have security challenges,” he added.