Following the reports of over 200 deaths, including women and children, in Yelwata, Benue State, Nigerians are voicing anger and grief, rejecting the government’s response and calling the incident a genocide, not just an attack.
Despite the scale of the tragedy, the federal government has yet to declare a state of emergency.
The News Chronicle spoke with several Nigerians who shared their reactions to the recent massacre.
Samuel, one of the respondents, fumed, saying, “It was not an attack, let’s correct it, it was a genocide. What happened in Benue state is not just heartbreaking and sad, it is a national disgrace. Our government has failed us yet again. To the people in Benue we see you and we are in this together.”
Hope, another respondent, said, “The killings in Yelwata are just another reminder that the government has failed us. No one is coming to save us, Nigerians. Your only crime is being born to a community that the Fulanis hate and that is it.”
Esther expressed frustration at what she called government hypocrisy, “When there was a plane crash in India our Government were in a hurry to send condolences to India like they will give them awards but it happened under their nose and there was no immediate response, it goes to show that they are looking for outsiders validation and it is a shame.”
Usman questioned the government’s priorities, saying that “200 citizens died and Benue is not a state of emergency, just wow, Rivers was declared a state of emergency for something less than this, is it that since states are prioritized more than others, this is scary oo. Nigerians need to wake up.”
Patrick, reacting to the failure of security agencies, asked, “Please, I want to know. The role of security agencies in Nigeria is only peacekeeping and peaceful negotiations, and to counter attacks?
“This attack on Yelwata was not executed in 20 minutes it took the attackers time so are now saying that they did not get any signal at all? If that is the case there is no hope for the common man. We are finished! Yelwata has paid the price when is the next attack?”
Tersoo said, “I am very disappointed in the president. Why is he acting unaware and saying he was briefed. These people that died are Nigerians they were not given a chance to live. Ah Nigeria is finished.”
Grace: “Are we going to say that these Fulani cannot be traced and arrested? What is the security agency doing? Look, this is beyond politics, this is wiping an entire generation off the earth. I regret being born in this country”
“Before I say anything, I need us to agree on something: that the attack on Yelwata was a genocide, well-planned and well-executed. It should not be shock to anybody that by next week another community will be attacked, I am a realist and I say things based on things I have seen. There is going to be more attacks since the government are doing nothing about it,” Peter said.
Amarachi among the respondents lamented, “I saw a girl’s post on Facebook and she shared how her mom and four siblings were burnt alive. This girl shared their before and after. I could not eat that day, my God!
“Where is humanity? When did we start losing it? This is too much. If I were a celebrity, this is the time to use our platform for something meaningful. Please let’s spread the hashtag # stoptheKilling in Benue.”!
“I am not in my forties yet, but I can count more than 100 attacks on different communities. If this were in a sane country, CNN would be covering it by now, showing everything but not my country. Imagine VDM taking it upon himself to go and show us what these animals did,” Gideon said.
Praise urged other Nigerians to leave the country if they can, “How do we comfort these people, how do we tell them that God is in control, this country keeps failing us, my advise to other Nigerians is to leave if you have the chance, there is nothing here for you again.”
“How do you take the life you did not give? We will never forget this and one day everyone will answer some people will meet their own here on earth others will answer to Allah! May Allah forgive their sins,” Habiba closed with a solemn reflection.
As the attacks continue to spread across the North, many Nigerians are calling for a national reckoning, stronger government response, and justice for the people of Benue.
Our heart goes out to the people of Benue State!
