Fr. Kelvin Ugwu has sharply criticized Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia for his handling of the Yelewata killings, accusing him of betraying the people of Benue and downplaying the severity of the attacks.
Ugwu stated that the tragedy would have been dismissed as a mere “clash” if not for media exposure by VDM. He added that even after the full extent of the incident became public, the situation was politicized to serve broader political interests.
“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 further condemned attempts by the government to minimize the insecurity in Benue State:
“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 referenced a previous interview with Governor Alia addressing genocide claims in Benue, noting inconsistencies in his statements:
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 comments come after Governor Alia, a former Catholic priest, dismissed claims of religious genocide in Benue during a National Human Rights Commission consultative forum in Abuja. Alia stated that while the state faces serious security challenges, these do not meet the threshold of genocide.
“We do not have religious, ethnic, racial, national, or state genocide in Benue,” Alia said. “There is insecurity, but it does not constitute genocide. It is important to refer to the United Nations’ definitions for clarity.”
Benue State has experienced persistent insecurity since 2009, with over 800 fatalities and nearly 400 abductions recorded in the past two years, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED). The June 14 attacks in Yelewata left more than 100 people dead.
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