Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has dismissed allegations that the state is witnessing religious genocide, insisting that such reports do not reflect the realities on the ground.
READ ALSO: CAN reacts to allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria
The governor made the clarification on Wednesday while speaking at a consultative forum in Abuja focused on the protection of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Forcibly Displaced Persons (FDPs). The event was organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
Alia said claims suggesting that Benue is experiencing ethnic or religious cleansing were inaccurate and not supported by available evidence. His remarks come amid increased international scrutiny of Nigeria over alleged religious persecution and attacks on Christian communities.
While acknowledging the security challenges affecting parts of the state, Alia stressed that the situation does not meet the United Nations’ definition of genocide. According to him, there is no documented pattern of killings based on religion, ethnicity, race, or nationality that would justify such claims.
The governor, a former Catholic priest, also rejected suggestions that jihadist operations were underway in Nigeria. Although extremist groups like Boko Haram and ISWAP have openly expressed ambitions to impose an extremist Islamic order, Alia maintained that there is “no jihad in Nigeria,” adding that he would be the first to raise an alarm if such a threat existed in Benue or elsewhere.
