In Benue State, Catholic priests have openly condemned Governor Hyacinth Alia for refusing to acknowledge the violent attacks in the region as genocide. The priests are calling out the government for its silence and inaction while lives are being destroyed and ancestral lands taken.
This is not a matter of political opinion. It is about the daily reality of people who can no longer live freely in their own homes.
The Reality on the Ground
In the Makurdi Diocese alone, over 20 churches and mission stations have been destroyed or abandoned. Priests have been shot, kidnapped, and even killed alongside their parishioners. Residents cannot farm freely, worship safely, or move without fear of attack.
The priests described the attacks as “deliberate, calculated, and targeted attempts to eliminate communities and seize ancestral lands.” This is a strong accusation that directly challenges the narrative pushed by some politicians who try to downplay the violence.
A Moral and Humanitarian Crisis
This is more than a security problem, it is a humanitarian tragedy. The priests say the attacks leave communities “erased, without memory or belonging.” Generations of families are being forced to flee, losing homes, livelihoods, and the chance to continue their cultural and religious traditions.
The priests emphasised that staying silent is no longer an option. “To remain silent is to die twice,” they said. The message is clear: the Nigerian government cannot ignore these acts any longer.
Government Silence Is Part of the Problem
Governor Alia, himself a Catholic priest, has publicly denied that genocide is happening in Benue. But priests and community leaders insist that denial does not change the facts. The priests accused political leaders of ignoring the problem, which only emboldens the armed groups responsible.
They called on the federal and state governments to act urgently. Empty statements and promises are not enough, decisive action is required to protect lives, reclaim occupied lands, and allow displaced persons to return safely.
The Call to the World
The priests also appealed to the international community to intervene. They want global institutions and governments to pressure Nigeria to fulfill its constitutional duty: protect citizens and stop the killings. The priests warned that ignoring this crisis will only deepen the suffering and entrench injustice further.
Bottom Line
The priests are not just speaking for themselves, they are speaking for the thousands of Nigerians living under constant threat.
Until the government acknowledges the scale of the violence and takes real action, communities in Benue will continue to suffer. Silence and denial are no longer acceptable, lives are at stake, and history will not forgive inaction.
