Benue Youths Protest Killings Amid Outrage

Benue youths protest killings after armed herders massacre over 200 people in Yelwata.

Public outrage grows amid rising insecurity and government inaction.

A State in Grief: Benue Youths Rise Against Unending Bloodshed

Makurdi, Benue State the air in Benue State is thick with grief, tension, and a growing sense of abandonment.

In the wake of a mass killing that claimed over 200 lives in Yelwata, a community in Guma Local Government Area,

residents especially the youth have erupted in protest, demanding an end to what they describe as a slow and systematic erasure of their people.

From the early hours of Sunday, thousands of outraged youths flooded Makurdi’s Wurukum Roundabout, blocking major roads and vowing not to leave until their voices were heard.

Brandishing placards with messages like “Stop Benue Killings” and “Government Has Failed Us,”

the protesters expressed deep frustration over repeated attacks by suspected armed herdsmen and what they see as government indifference.

‘Enough is Enough’: The Makurdi Uprising

The protest, which began peacefully, soon turned into a defiant standoff. Low-flying police helicopters circled overhead, and tear gas was eventually deployed to disperse the crowd, but the youth held their ground.

Many brought cooking pots and bags of rice, signaling their intention to remain for as long as necessary.

Mr. Seedoff Mbapuun, one of the youth leaders and a prominent social media activist, explained the motive behind the protest:

“For years, we have watched our people slaughtered in silence. Yelwata is not far from Makurdi.

If they can kill that many people just a few kilometers away, then where are we safe?”

Another protester, Brahms Ikuan, spoke to reporters with tears in his eyes.

“We sent letters, made phone calls, even posted videos. Still, no one came to our aid. Now our brothers, sisters, and children are dead.

What’s left of Benue tomorrow if this continues?”

A Familiar Name Steps In: VeryDarkMan’s Intervention

The standoff might have spiraled into full-blown violence had it not been for the arrival of popular activist and influencer, Martins Otse known widely as VeryDarkMan.

Upon his arrival, a wave of cheers swept through the crowd. People surged forward to hear him speak.

VeryDarkMan recounted the horror he had witnessed in Yelwata:

“I saw things I can’t unsee children burnt beyond recognition, whole families erased. How is this still happening in a country with a government?”

He urged the youths to shift their approach from confrontation to coordinated civil action.

“Protest, yes. But be strategic. Blocking roads only gives security agents a reason to attack.

Use your numbers, but stay peaceful. Make your voice louder with your brains, not just your pain.”

Moved by his words, the youths gradually cleared the roads and followed him to Wurukum Roundabout,

where he repeated his call for a more organized, peaceful protest that would gain the right attention without risking more bloodshed.

Leaders Speak: Condemnations Pour In

As the dust from the protest settled, the political class began to respond.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the killings as “inhuman and anti-progress,” directing security chiefs to identify and prosecute all those responsible.

His spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, emphasized the urgency of the matter:

“Enough is enough. The bloodletting must end.”

Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy Sam Ode,

visited the attack site and assured the people that both state and federal governments were coordinating efforts to curb the violence.

“We are engaging with traditional rulers, security agencies, and stakeholders to bring lasting peace,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Benue, Mr. Emenari Ifeanyi, confirmed that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun,

had taken direct control of the security situation, deploying special tactical teams across vulnerable zones.

National Outcry: Obi and Atiku Demand Justice

Two former presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, were vocal in their condemnation of the massacre.

Obi, posting on X (formerly Twitter), called the killings a “failure of leadership and a stain on Nigeria’s conscience.”

“This is not merely violence it is a betrayal of the social contract. Every life lost is a wound to our nation.”

He stressed that Nigeria could not normalize such horrors and urged swift, decisive action to prevent further tragedies.

Atiku echoed these sentiments, stating:

“We must hold our leaders accountable. This is not a Benue problem; it is a Nigerian crisis.”

He called for investigations, increased security deployments,

and comprehensive support for survivors, including trauma counseling and community rebuilding.

Civil Society and Religious Voices Join the Chorus

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) was unsparing in its criticism of the federal government,

accusing it of “playing with fire” by retaining “incompetent” security chiefs.

“These service chiefs remain in their cushioned offices while rural communities are being wiped out,”

said Emmanuel Onwubiko, the association’s National Coordinator.

On the international front, Pope Leo XIV used his Sunday Angelus address to pray for the victims,

especially the displaced persons killed while sheltering at a Catholic mission in Yelwata.

“The world must not look away from this terrible massacre,” he said.

Amnesty International also condemned the attacks, urging Nigerian authorities to stop the “daily bloodshed” and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Border Communities on Edge: nasarawa’s Growing Fears

The impact of the massacre in Yelwata has spread beyond Benue’s borders.

In neighboring Nasarawa State, Tiv farmers in communities like Kadarko are abandoning their homes for fear of further violence.

One resident, Mathias, recounted his experience:

“We heard gunshots like it was war. My children and I ran into the bush. How can this continue? Are we not citizens too?”

He questioned the government’s willingness or capacity to protect rural communities, raising fears that the violence could trigger wider ethnic unrest.

The Bigger Picture: A Nation in Crisis

The situation in Benue State underscores a deeper national crisis.

Mass killings have become almost routine across various regions in Nigeria, from the North East to the Middle Belt.

Each new massacre is met with condolences, calls for investigation, and promises of action but little appears to change on the ground.

Experts warn that unless decisive, sustained interventions are implemented, Nigeria risks descending further into chaos.

The rising distrust between communities and government, coupled with increasing poverty, could create fertile ground for radicalization and rebellion.

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