Terry G Takes on Benue Governor Alia Over Denial of Religious Attacks: “We Refuse to Be Silenced”

Nigerian singer Terry G has publicly criticised Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia for dismissing claims of religious persecution in the state, sparking fresh debate over the realities of insecurity in Benue and the wider Middle Belt region.

Governor Alia, while speaking at a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) consultative forum in Abuja, refuted allegations—circulating especially in the United States—that Nigeria is experiencing religious genocide.
He argued that such claims, often referenced by U.S. officials pushing for Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern,” are exaggerated and do not reflect the true situation on ground.

“In my state of Benue, we don’t have any religious, any ethnic, any racial, any national or state genocide,”
Governor Alia insisted, admitting the state’s insecurity but rejecting any classification of it as genocide.

Terry G Fires Back: “What Kind of Governor Is This?”

Terry G, who hails from Benue, wasted no time in challenging the governor’s remarks.
In a passionate Instagram post, the rapper accused Alia of downplaying the suffering of his own people:

“Reverend, why una too dey lie? Why can’t you guys admit, for once, and apply correction?”
“There is nothing like Christian genocide in Benue, so that means you are not hearing all the news that is going on?”
“We refuse to be quieted. The Christian community in Benue is under attack — no amount of denial can hide that reality.”

His comments echo the frustrations of many Benue residents who feel unheard, unprotected, and misunderstood by both state and federal authorities.

Opinion:

Between Denial and Reality — Who Truly Speaks for Benue?**

Governor Alia’s attempt to control the narrative is understandable from a political standpoint. A declaration of “genocide” carries international implications, and no leader wants their state tagged as ground zero for religious persecution.

But Terry G’s outburst is not just emotional—it reflects a deeper truth many Nigerians know too well: when leaders downplay people’s pain, trust erodes.

Benue, for years, has suffered attacks linked to farmer–herder conflicts, banditry, and communal clashes. Whether one calls it genocide, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, or simply insecurity, the fact remains:

Lives have been lost. Communities have been displaced. And the wounds are real.

This is where the governor’s statement feels disconnected. While technically correct that “genocide” has a strict definition under international law, dismissing the experiences of affected communities as though they are exaggerated sends the wrong message.

Terry G’s reaction, though blunt and emotional, voices the sentiments of countless Benue residents who want acknowledgment, not semantics.

At the end of the day, the debate should not be about labels.
It should be about responsibility, transparency, and sincere action.

Because one thing is clear:
Insecurity in Benue is not a rumour — it is a lived reality.