The Benue State Government has issued a strong clarification regarding Governor Hyacinth Iormen Alia's recent statements about the ongoing violence in the state, insisting that his comments were deliberately misinterpreted and taken out of context by mischief makers.
Government Addresses Misrepresentation
In an official statement released on Friday, November 21, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dr Peter Oboh Egbodo, revealed that circulating claims online represented deliberate attempts to distort the governor's position on the security situation. The government emphasized that these distortions were created by individuals seeking to mislead the public about the administration's stance.
Dr Egbodo stressed categorically that Governor Alia never denied the killings occurring across Benue communities nor made light of the devastating impact of the violence on innocent citizens. "To set the record straight, His Excellency Governor Hyacinth Iormen Alia never denied the killings in Benue nor did he make light of the effect of these senseless violence unleashed on hapless citizens," the Commissioner stated emphatically.
Clarification on Religious Context
The government specifically addressed concerns about religious framing of the crisis, explaining that Governor Alia had clearly identified the perpetrators as killer bandits and terrorists while cautioning against characterizing the violence as religiously motivated. This position aims to prevent further polarization within communities.
Regarding the viral video where the governor mentioned that attackers' plans were "followed religiously," the Commissioner clarified that this referred to the coordinated and systematic nature of the assaults rather than attributing them to any faith group. "This means their plans were followed meticulously," Egbodo explained, seeking to eliminate any religious misinterpretation.
Security Measures and Government Response
The Benue State Government outlined several key security initiatives Governor Alia has implemented to address the crisis:
- Strengthened collaboration with federal security agencies
- Continuous support for displaced communities
- Renewed advocacy at national and international levels for enhanced security presence
- Regular visits to affected areas and engagement with victims
The administration reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to protecting every life in Benue State without exception. "The Government fully acknowledges the trauma of communities bearing the brunt of these attacks and remains committed to protecting every life, without exception," Egbodo noted.
Governor Alia continues to mourn with bereaved families and mobilize all governmental resources to restore peace across the state. The statement highlighted that the governor's clarification was intended to promote responsible public discourse and accurate understanding of the complex security challenges.
Call for Accurate Reporting
The government urged both the public and media organizations to consider the governor's remarks within the broader context of his dedication to securing Benue State. Officials emphasized that misdiagnosing the nature of the crisis could hinder the multi-sectoral solutions already being implemented.
"Misdiagnosing the nature of the crisis may hinder the multi-sectoral solutions already being implemented. What His Excellency sought to communicate is that the conflict is complex, involving criminality, land-use tensions, and targeted acts of violence that require strategic, intelligence-driven interventions," Dr Egbodo elaborated.
The administration expressed appreciation to citizens and development partners who continue to advocate for peace, justice, and the well-being of all Benue residents amid the ongoing security challenges.
