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BENUE, Nigeria - More than 24 hours after the brutal massacre of hundreds in Benue State, President Bola Tinubu has remained silent, opting instead to wish Nigerians a Happy Father’s Day.
The three spokespersons for Tinubu’s administration — Bayo Onanuga, Sunday Dare, and Daniel Bwala — have also not addressed the killings.
Instead of acknowledging the public outrage regarding the tragic events in Benue from Friday through Saturday, Tinubu took to his X account on Sunday evening to celebrate Father’s Day.
He stated, “Today, we honour our first teachers, silent defenders, and tireless nation-builders…our fathers. Thank you to all Nigerian fathers, biological and symbolic, home and abroad. Your everyday labours shape the character of our country and the future of our children.”
His message has drawn reactions from Nigerians, many of whom questioned his lack of response while citizens are being killed under his administration.
An X user, @Irunnia, remarked: “Fathers were killed in Benue. When will you address that and end the insecurity?” @Abazwhyllz commented, “You aren't aware of what's happening in Benue?? 200 people have died and nothing has been said?? Like 200 oo.” @Ifedayo_Johnson stated, “Among those killed in Benue are fathers and potential fathers. Step up. Take charge.”
Amnesty International condemned the attack on Benue communities, stating: “The horrifying killing of over 100 individuals by gunmen who invaded Yelewata late Friday into the early hours of Saturday 14 June 2025 showcases the failure of the security measures the government claims to have implemented in the state.”
They added, “The Nigerian authorities’ inability to control the violence is costing lives and livelihoods, and without swift action, many more lives may be at risk.” Opposition politician Peter Obi of the Labour Party attributed the Benue killings to Tinubu’s shortcomings.
“Over 200 lives have reportedly been lost in a single assault, homes destroyed, families broken, communities devastated.
This is not just violence; it is a failure of leadership, a mark on our collective conscience. Every life lost is a Nigerian life, each one valuable, each one irreplaceable,” Obi stated.
He further expressed, “We cannot allow the normalization of mass killings. It is unacceptable.
The main responsibility of any government, be it federal, state, or local, is to safeguard lives and property. When it consistently fails, we must question: What kind of nation are we leaving for our children?”
