Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka has advised Nigerian authorities to be cautious in embracing foreign intervention, warning that external involvement could further complicate the country’s worsening security situation.
Soyinka gave the caution on Friday during a media briefing at the Government House, Makurdi, shortly after a private meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia, which formed part of his visit to Benue State.
The internationally acclaimed writer praised Alia for the developmental projects underway in the state but recalled that Benue had become a haven for terrorists under the previous federal administration.
He faulted former President Muhammadu Buhari for failing to curb the killings in the state, noting that he was among the few who consistently challenged the administration at the time.
Soyinka said his visit also included a follow-up on educational materials he previously donated for displaced children.
He inspected several ongoing projects in Makurdi and visited internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, where he sympathised with affected families.
Governor Alia, while addressing journalists, dismissed claims that he denied the killings in the state.
He insisted that his comments were misinterpreted and taken out of context.
He stressed that discussions about genocide must align with the United Nations’ definition and historical framework, noting that the term is often misused in public discourse.
According to him, his remark that attackers were executing their plans “religiously” was misunderstood and was meant only to describe consistency and determination, not religious motivation.
“I have never denied that our people were killed,” he said.
“We have bandits and terrorists who are organised and determined to destroy, maim, and kill. I have repeatedly, yes, religiously stated that their aim is land grabbing, not religion.”
Alia explained that the crisis in Benue originated from farmer–herder clashes but later evolved into full-blown banditry and terrorism, affecting people across different ethnic and religious backgrounds.
He warned against pushing narratives that falsely portray the violence as religiously driven.
The governor also urged journalists to avoid politicising the tragedy, advising them to seek clarification when issues arise rather than amplifying misinterpretations.
“You are not weapons of mass destruction,” he told reporters.
“One phone call for clarification can prevent confusion and unnecessary tension.”
Alia emphasised that every life lost deeply concerns his administration and called on the public to avoid trivialising the suffering of displaced persons.
He said the scale of displacement in Benue underscores the severity of the attacks, which have forced many communities from their ancestral homes.
On infrastructure, the governor disclosed that contracts for major arterial roads in Makurdi had already been awarded.
Full construction, he said, would commence next week following the completion of preliminary work.
Alia commended Prof. Soyinka for his sustained interest in the welfare of the people of Benue and for taking time to visit the state to assess ongoing developments.
