Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has firmly dismissed claims suggesting the existence of any form of jihad in Nigeria, describing such narratives as baseless, misleading, and capable of heightening unnecessary tension across the country.
Speaking with the conviction of both a cleric and a political leader, Governor Alia stated, “We do not have any jihad in Nigeria. I’m speaking to you as a reverend father in the church. I’m speaking to you as a governor of a state. If there were any, particularly in my state or any part of Nigeria, I would have been the very number one person to make a noise.”
The governor’s remarks come amid a flurry of social media debates and public concerns over alleged religious hostilities. Alia, however, insisted that Nigeria’s challenges should not be exaggerated into religious warfare, stressing the importance of unity and responsible communication.
He noted that the country is already battling several security issues, and fueling false narratives only undermines ongoing efforts by security agencies and state governments working to restore peace.
Governor Alia urged Nigerians to resist divisive rhetoric and instead focus on promoting harmony, mutual respect, and collective responsibility in building a peaceful nation.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting all residents of Benue State, maintaining that neither religion nor ethnicity would ever be allowed to threaten the state’s stability.
“As leaders, we must guide our people with truth,” he said. “Benue remains committed to peaceful coexistence—there is no jihad here, and there is none in Nigeria.”
