November 21, (THEWILL) — The Benue State Government has clarified Governor Hyacinth Alia’s recent comments on the security situation in the State, stressing that his remarks were not aimed at downplaying the severity of the attacks or the grief of families who have lost loved ones.
In a statement on Friday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr Peter Egbodo, said the Governor fully understands the weight of every life lost and continues to confront Benue’s security challenges with urgency and seriousness.
He explained that Governor Alia’s remarks at a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) event on October 19, 2025, in Abuja —that the killings in Benue should not be defined purely along religious lines—were intended to promote accurate reporting, responsible public discourse and more effective crisis response.
According to him, “misdiagnosing the nature of the crisis may hinder the multi-sectoral solutions already being implemented.” He added that the conflict remains complex, driven by criminality, land-use tensions and targeted violence requiring intelligence-led interventions beyond religious categorisation.
The statement stressed that Alia’s stance does not diminish the pain of Christian communities or any other group affected by the attacks. Rather, the Governor is “profoundly concerned about the safety and dignity of all residents, including Christians, Muslims, traditional believers and every law-abiding citizen.”
Egbodo highlighted the administration’s ongoing efforts, including strengthened collaboration with security agencies, support for displaced communities, advocacy for enhanced national and international security presence and long-term initiatives to address root causes of violence.
He noted that Governor Alia continues to visit affected areas, mourn with bereaved families and mobilise all available resources to restore peace across the state.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting every life without bias, urging the public to view the Governor’s comments within the broader context of his dedication to securing Benue State.
“This Government stands firmly with the people and will not relent until the cycle of violence is brought to a complete end”, the statement added.
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