Izuchukwu OkosiNigeria’s music stars, Innocent Idibia (2baba) and Jude Abaga (MI) have both spoken vehemently against the wanton destruction of lives and properties in Benue State and called on authorities to protect the citizens and bring the criminals to book.
Over 200 men, women and children were killed in Yeluwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday by alleged armed herders.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe senseless killings had generated international condemnation as well as from well-meaning Nigerians.
An emotional Idibia said on his X (Twitter) handle:
“My heart is heavy. I am terribly sad and angry. What is happening in Benue State has become a national emergency. I can’t wrap my head around it anymore.
“I don’t even know what to say at this point. This has to stop, it has to involve everybody, every stakeholder in this country, everyone in Benue State. It’s not child’s play it’s becoming ridiculous.
“I don’t know where to start expressing my sadness, grief, my anger, my frustration, because these things keep happening over and over again.
“This is no longer something we can just condemn in words. Serious action needs to be taken.
“Every stakeholder in Benue we need to come together. We can end this. I believe there is a solution, we just need to be serious with the solution.”
Similarly, Nigerian rapper and music executive, Jude Abaga, popularly known as MI, also commiserated with the families and communities of the killed Nigerians.
In a statement on Monday via his verified X account, MI said:
“My heart is heavy. It grieves me deeply to see so much of the Middle Belt bleed.
“The recent killings in Benue are not just statistics, they are our people, our families, our communities being torn apart.”
He added: “I stand in solidarity with my brothers and sisters in Benue.
“Your pain is my pain. We can’t normalise this cycle of violence that has plagued our land for too long. To those we’ve lost: we will not forget you. To those still standing, we stand with you.”
The rapper’s statement follows a series of reactions to the mass killings in Benue State, where over 100 people were reportedly killed in Guma Local Government Area in what has been described as a two-day rampage by suspected herders.
Local leaders claim the actual death toll may be much higher, with entire families wiped out and some victims reportedly burned alive.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had earlier described the situation as “a national emergency,” urging the Federal Government and Benue State authorities to take immediate and decisive action.
He called for a prompt and transparent investigation into the attacks, along with improved security deployment across the region.
The violence has sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians demanding that a state of emergency be declared in Benue State.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
