Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has clarified that he never denied the killing of residents in the state, insisting that his earlier remarks on genocide were taken out of context.

Speaking on Friday after a closed-door discussion with Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka at the Government House, Alia explained that his statement was misunderstood because many people did not grasp the global and historical meaning of the term “genocide.”

According to him, discussions about genocide must align with the United Nations’ definition, which outlines specific criteria, adding that the term is often loosely applied without regard for its proper interpretation.

The governor said the misrepresentation of his remarks had led to avoidable controversy and confusion.

“I have never denied the killings of our people,” he said.

“I have repeatedly stated that we are dealing with bandits and terrorists who come in a well-organised manner to destroy, maim, and kill. Their agenda has always been land grabbing. This crisis did not start as a religious issue.”

Alia noted that the conflict originated as a farmer–herder dispute before escalating into widespread banditry and terrorism.

He stressed that victims cut across various religious groups, cautioning against attempts to portray the violence as faith-based.

On Thursday in Abuja, while speaking at a consultative forum on the protection of Internally Displaced Persons and Forcibly Displaced Persons hosted by the National Human Rights Commission, the governor had said the situation in Benue should not be categorised as genocide.

“As a Reverend Father, that identity remains with me even in government. In Benue, we do not have any religious, ethnic, racial, national, or state-sponsored genocide. That is simply not the case,” he said.

His earlier comment sparked strong reactions, including criticism from Catholic priests under the Nigerian Catholic Diocesan Priests Association, Makurdi Diocese.

Alia urged journalists to avoid politicising the crisis, advising them to seek clarification before publishing interpretations that could heighten tensions.

He emphasised that every life lost weighs heavily on him and appealed to the public to refrain from trivialising the experiences of displaced families.

The governor also warned against framing the violence as a religious conflict.

“The situation involves multiple factors. Don’t narrow it down to religion. Both Christians and Muslims have been killed. Benue is the most populous Christian state in Northern Nigeria, and with that comes certain expectations. But we must not politicise people’s suffering.”

Prof. Wole Soyinka, who also spoke, cautioned Nigerian leaders to be wary of seeking assistance from foreign nations, noting that such interventions could complicate the country’s security challenges.

Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has condemned the life imprisonment imposed on Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, calling instead for a political and dialogue-driven approach to resolve the issues surrounding his case.

In a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Obi argued that Kanu’s arrest, prolonged detention, and eventual conviction were symptoms of deeper leadership failures.

He said that meaningful political engagement was never fully explored before the government opted for prosecution.

The verdict, Obi noted, comes at a time when Nigerians are facing severe economic hardship and widespread insecurity, conditions he believes should compel the government to seek reconciliation rather than escalate tensions.

According to him, Kanu’s grievances were not beyond resolution and could have been addressed through consultations, policy changes, and institutional reforms.

“The concerns Kanu raised were not unheard of. The issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble. They only required wisdom, empathy, and a willingness to listen. In any functioning society, such grievances are met with dialogue and reforms aimed at strengthening unity,” Obi stated.

He referenced international examples where governments have used political settlements to address internal conflicts when strict legal measures failed.

Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment this week by the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism charges.

He has been in custody since 2021 after his controversial transfer from Kenya, a move his legal team insists was an illegal extraordinary rendition, though the Federal Government maintains otherwise.

Since IPOB’s designation as a terrorist organisation in 2017, security tensions have intensified across the Southeast.

Earlier this month, security forces reported clashes with armed groups suspected of separatist ties in rural Anambra, prompting temporary roadblocks that disrupted transportation and school activities.

Obi linked Kanu’s case with what he described as larger governance problems, particularly a lack of inclusion and cohesive national leadership.

He urged President Bola Tinubu, the Council of State, and influential national leaders to intervene and prevent further escalation.

He ended his message by advocating peace and reconciliation as the only viable long-term solution.

“My ultimate call at this time, without prejudice to how anyone feels about the court’s decision, is for us to remain optimistic for peace and reconciliation. The Presidency, the Council of State, and credible statesmen who care about cohesion and inclusivity should rise to the occasion for a lasting solution,”
he said.

Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has urged dialogue and peaceful resolution following the life imprisonment sentence handed to Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, on terrorism charges.

In a post on X on Friday, Sani reflected on his own experience of imprisonment under a military regime, emphasizing that life imprisonment can be endured and is not necessarily the end of one’s life.

Sani, who was convicted and sentenced by the late Gen. Sani Abacha military regime, served time in Aba Correctional Centre from 1995 to 1998, having previously spent a year in Kiri Kiri and Port Harcourt prisons.

He recalled being treated well by most inmates and warders, despite facing some challenges with “a few tough guys.”

He wrote, “Sentencing a man to life imprisonment is not the end of his life. Some of us have been through life imprisonment and we survived it… There is still room for dialogue to resolve the issue in the interest of peace. Life imprisonment is a phase and not the end.”

Sani’s comments come amid renewed attention on Kanu’s detention, following reports that he has been moved to a correctional facility in Sokoto.

Kanu’s former lawyer and consultant, Aloy Ejimakor, expressed concern over the transfer, noting that it places Kanu far from his legal team, family, and supporters.

He compared the situation to the 1963 conviction of Obafemi Awolowo, who was sent to a neutral zone, and suggested that President Tinubu could intervene to prevent further complications.

As of Friday evening, PUNCH Online could not independently confirm Kanu’s relocation.

Kanu was sentenced by the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday for seven terrorism-related charges.

Justice James Omotosho handed life terms for five counts, 20 years for one, and five years for another, all without the option of a fine.

The judge also noted that Kuje Correctional Centre might not be suitable for Kanu due to security concerns, recommending a more secure facility.