Former Vice President of Nigeria and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has expressed grave concern over the unrelenting wave of killings in Benue State, calling on the Federal Government and political leaders across the country to urgently act to stem the tide of bloodshed. Atiku described the situation as a humanitarian disaster that has escalated beyond tolerance, warning that continued silence from leadership amounts to complicity.
In a statement shared on Monday via his verified account on X (formerly Twitter), the former Vice President condemned the perceived indifference of both federal and state authorities to what he described as a “brutal and heart-wrenching reality.” He lamented the consistent attacks on communities in Benue and other northern states, stating that the nation could no longer afford to look the other way while families are being decimated.
“The bloodshed in Benue State has reached a devastating crescendo — a brutal and heart-wrenching reality that can no longer be ignored,” Atiku stated. “For years, families have buried their loved ones in silence, villages have been ravaged, and communities shattered, while those in power watch from a distance, offering nothing but hollow assurances.”
The former Vice President also took aim at the government’s response to recent protests in the state, where security operatives reportedly dispersed demonstrators with force. He argued that such actions betray the very essence of leadership, which should be rooted in empathy and protection of citizens’ rights.
“When citizens take to the streets to protest this injustice, they are not inciting rebellion, they are crying for help,” he said. “To unleash force on grieving, defenseless citizens is not governance, it is cruelty.”
Atiku further urged political leaders at every level to rise above partisanship and prioritise the sanctity of human life over the pursuit of power. He noted that history would remember those who chose to remain indifferent in the face of mass killings, and equally those who acted decisively to restore peace and security.
“This is a call to conscience to every leader at both the federal and state levels: stop turning a blind eye while Benue drowns in blood. Stop offering condolences and start offering solutions,” he added.
The former Vice President emphasised the urgent need for an overhauled national security architecture and more effective coordination among security agencies to forestall future attacks. He also extended his concerns to other flashpoints in the country, including Plateau, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Taraba States, which have similarly witnessed violent attacks in recent times.
Atiku concluded by encouraging Nigerians, especially residents of affected communities, not to lose their voices in the face of fear and oppression. He called on citizens to continue demanding justice and holding their leaders accountable, insisting that every Nigerian deserves a government that protects, listens, and responds to the needs of the people.
“We urge the people not to be silenced. Raise your voices. Demand accountability. Demand justice. Demand a government that sees you, hears you, and protects you,” he declared.
As the death toll continues to rise in Benue and other troubled regions, Atiku’s remarks add to a growing chorus of voices urging a rethink of Nigeria’s internal security strategy and a more humane approach to governance in the face of persistent insecurity.
