A horrific attack in Nigeria’s Benue State has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. Over 200 people were reportedly burnt alive in a herdsmen attack on the Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area. The incident has drawn global attention, with Pope Leo describing it as a “terrible massacre” and calling for justice.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has come under fire for his response to the attack. In a statement, he directed the Benue government to engage in dialogue with the attackers, a move that has been criticized by many, including activist VeryDarkMan. VeryDarkMan accused the President of underestimating the scale of the problem, saying that the herdsmen are “way bigger than the President” and that dialogue is not a viable solution.
VeryDarkMan’s comments come as a response to President Tinubu’s press release, which called for the arrest and prosecution of the suspects, as well as a process of dialogue and reconciliation to bring back peace. However, VeryDarkMan argues that this approach is misguided, saying that the herdsmen’s actions are “barbaric” and that dialogue is not an option. He also accused the Nigerian government and security agencies of being aware of the attackers’ activities, saying that it would be “clowning” for them to claim otherwise.
The activist pointed out that the attackers had used gallons of fuel and guns to carry out the attack, raising questions about how they were able to acquire such materials. He also expressed frustration that the killing of 200 people had not received more attention, saying that it had “passed like that” without trending or sparking widespread outrage.
VeryDarkMan’s comments have resonated with many in Nigeria, where there is growing frustration with the government’s handling of the crisis. On Sunday, he joined Benue youths in a protest in Makurdi, the state capital, to demand action from the government. The protest highlights the growing demands for justice and protection for the people of Benue State, who have been affected by repeated attacks.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Nigerian government will respond to the criticism and demands for action. One thing is clear, however: the people of Benue State will not remain silent in the face of such horrific violence, and they will continue to demand justice and protection from their government.
