Nigerian singer and rapper Gabriel Oche Amanyi, better known as Terry G, has openly criticized Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia over the governor’s recent rejection of claims that Christians in Benue are facing targeted attacks.
Governor Alia, speaking at a consultative forum on the protection of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and Forcibly Displaced Persons (FDPs) hosted by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Abuja, dismissed accusations circulating in the United States that Nigeria is witnessing religious genocide. He challenged narratives being used by some American officials to advocate for Nigeria’s designation as a “Country of Particular Concern,” a label reserved for nations accused of systemic persecution of religious groups.
According to the governor, such allegations are unfounded.
“In my state of Benue, we don’t have any religious, ethnic, racial, national, or state genocide. Nothing of that sort exists,” Alia stated. While acknowledging security challenges, he insisted the situation does not meet any internationally recognized definition of genocide.
His comments, however, did not sit well with Terry G, who hails from Benue. Taking to Instagram, the music star expressed outrage, accusing the governor—who is also a Catholic priest—of downplaying the suffering of Christian communities.
“Reverend, for that matter, why una too dey lie?” he wrote. “Why can’t you people just admit what is happening and take action? Saying there’s no Christian genocide in Benue—so you’re not hearing all the reports circulating? What kind of governor talks like that? Una just dey cap anyhow.”
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Terry G stressed that many in the state feel silenced and frustrated, insisting that the attacks on Christian communities are real and ongoing.
“We refuse to be quieted,” he added. “Christians in Benue are under attack, and no amount of denial can erase that truth.”
