Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has again dismissed allegations that he denied the killing of Benue residents by bandits and terrorists.

Speaking to journalists on Friday at Government House, Makurdi, after a closed-door meeting with Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, the governor said his earlier remarks were taken out of context.

Governor Alia stressed the need for the public to properly understand the global and historical meaning of terms such as genocide, explaining that the word must be used within the framework of the United Nations’ definition. He noted that many people misuse the term without considering its origin or the criteria required to classify an event as genocide.

Clarifying his earlier comments, Alia said his description of attackers “executing their plans religiously” was idiomatic, meaning consistently or diligently—not in any religious sense. He said the misinterpretation of the statement generated unnecessary controversy.

“I never denied that my people were killed,” the governor said. “I have consistently yes, religiously stated that we are dealing with bandits and terrorists who come fully organized to destroy, maim and kill. Their aim is land grabbing, and this did not begin as anything religious.”

Alia reiterated that the violence, which started as farmer–herder clashes, evolved into widespread banditry and terrorism. He emphasized that victims have come from various religious backgrounds, warning against framing the crisis as religiously motivated.

The governor urged journalists to avoid politicizing the tragedy or amplifying misinterpretations, advising the media to seek clarification before publishing sensitive information. According to him, accurate reporting is crucial in preventing further tension.

“You are not weapons of mass destruction; you are weapons of societal construction,” Alia told reporters. “One phone call can clarify what is unclear instead of confusing society.”

He expressed deep concern over the continued loss of lives and suffering of displaced families, noting that Benue now hosts numerous IDP camps due to attacks that drove people from their ancestral homes.

The governor also warned against reducing the crisis to a single narrative. “The situation is multi-sectoral. Don’t reduce it to religion. Both Muslims and Christians have been killed,” he said.

On development efforts, Governor Alia announced that several arterial road projects in Makurdi have been awarded and full construction will commence next week following preliminary works. He commended Prof. Soyinka for visiting the state and showing genuine concern for the people.

In his remarks, Prof. Wole Soyinka cautioned Nigerian leaders against accepting certain forms of foreign assistance that could worsen the country’s security challenges. He praised Alia’s development initiatives and recalled that under the previous federal administration, Benue became a major hub for terrorists in the North Central region.

Soyinka criticized former President Muhammadu Buhari’s failure to curb the killings, noting that he was among the few who challenged the administration’s handling of the crisis. He said his visit to Benue also included following up on educational materials he donated during a period when many displaced children were out of school.

The Nobel Laureate later toured parts of Makurdi to inspect ongoing projects and visited several IDP camps to sympathize with displaced families.