Christian Genocide: “If Wike can deny calling a soldier ‘fool’ despite video” – Fr. Ugwu accuses Benue Gov. Alia

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Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has come under fire from Fr. Kelvin Ugwu for his handling of the Yelewata massacres, accusing him of forsaking the people of Benue and minimizing the seriousness of the attacks.

Ugwu claimed that without VDM’s media coverage, the tragedy would have been written off as a simple “clash.” He continued by saying that the tragedy was politicized to further larger political goals even after the incident’s full scope was made public.

“If Governor Wike can confidently deny calling a soldier a fool despite video evidence, is it not a reminder to question politicians’ statements?” Ugwu remarked.

He also denounced the government’s efforts to reduce Benue State’s insecurity:

“In this so-called ‘Tinubu gains’ narrative, if you had not witnessed the killings by bandits and terrorists where both soldiers and civilians were slaughtered you too might have applauded. Politicians can label it as genocide or otherwise, but ultimately, it is the people who bear the brunt. The government often dilutes the reality to confuse the international community. Residents cannot rely on external assistance; proactive action is imperative.”

Ugwu cited an earlier interview in which Governor Alia discussed allegations of genocide in Benue, pointing out contradictions in his remarks.

Interviewer: Fr. Alia, is there genocide in Benue?
Alia: In Benue, there is no religious, ethnic, racial, national, or state genocide.
Interviewer: Do we have insecurity in the state?
Alia: Yes.
Interviewer: Are killings occurring?
Alia: Yes.
Interviewer: Were people killed in Yelewata?
Alia: Yes.
Interviewer: Were some victims slaughtered and burned?
Alia: Yes.
Interviewer: Is the area predominantly Christian?
Alia: Yes.
Interviewer: Are the perpetrators Tiv or Idoma?
Alia: I don’t think so.
Interviewer: How many Christians have been killed since 2009?
Alia: (stammering) Well… the numbers are verifiable…

Fr. Ugwu’s remarks follow Governor Alia, a former Catholic priest, rejecting allegations of religious genocide in Benue at a consultative session held by the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja. Although the state has significant security issues, Alia said that these do not qualify as genocide.

“We do not have religious, ethnic, racial, national, or state genocide in Benue, there is insecurity, but it does not constitute genocide. It is important to refer to the United Nations’ definitions for clarity.” – Alia said

According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), Benue State has been plagued by ongoing insecurity since 2009, with over 800 deaths and almost 400 kidnappings reported in the last two years. Over 100 people were killed in the Yelewata attacks on June 14.

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