Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a searing condemnation of the ongoing violence in Benue State, calling for immediate and decisive government action to end what he described as a “heart-wrenching reality” of bloodshed and neglect.
In a powerful statement posted to his official X handle on Monday, June 16, Atiku declared, “Enough is enough: Benue cannot bleed in silence,” decrying the years of persistent violence that have left countless families grieving, villages in ruins, and communities displaced.
“For years, families have buried their loved ones in silence… while those in power watch from a distance, offering nothing but hollow assurances,” Atiku wrote.
The former Vice President expressed outrage at the government’s failure to provide security for Benue residents, questioning how much more suffering the people must endure before their humanity is acknowledged.
“Their demand is simple: to live in peace, to sleep without fear, to farm without being slaughtered, and to raise their children without the constant shadow of violence,” he stated.
Atiku also condemned the recent violent suppression of protesters in Benue, saying peaceful demonstrators are not rebels but citizens crying for help.
“To unleash force on grieving, defenseless citizens is not governance, it is cruelty. It is a betrayal of the sacred duty of leadership,” he said, lamenting the use of tear gas and brutality against civilians.
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He accused both federal and state leaders of turning a blind eye while Benue “drowns in blood,” and called for a nationwide rethinking of Nigeria’s security architecture. He urged the deployment of more resources, strategic engagement with security agencies, and a people-centered approach to safety.
“Benue is not alone. From Plateau to Zamfara, Kaduna to Taraba; the cries are the same,” he added, noting that the wave of insecurity and killings extends far beyond a single state.
Atiku urged Nigerians not to be silenced, encouraging them to “raise your voices. Demand accountability. Demand justice. Demand a government that sees you, hears you, and protects you.”
Ending his statement with a warning to the political class, Atiku declared: “History will not be kind to those who chose power over people. The time to act is now.”
His statement comes amid renewed concern over rising insecurity across northern Nigeria and growing frustration with what many see as a slow or inadequate response from authorities.