Lead Pastor of The Fountain of Life Church and Nollywood actor, Jimmy Odukoya, has strongly condemned the recent massacre in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, describing it as an act of genocide against innocent Nigerians.
Taking to his official Instagram page, Odukoya mourned the deaths of over 200 villagers brutally killed in an attack by suspected armed herdsmen.
In an emotionally charged post, the cleric lamented the “evil” that claimed the lives of men, women, and children, calling for urgent government intervention.
“My heart bleeds over the genocide happening in Benue. The blood of the innocent cries loud for justice from the earth! Body parts and bones litter the ground and tell a harrowing story of wickedness… Evil that does not discriminate against the old man or the infant child…” Odukoya wrote.
He also issued a stern rebuke to the Nigerian government, urging leaders to fulfill their constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.
“When will the government wake up to its responsibility of defending its people from men who have no regard for the sanctity of human life?” he questioned.
The Benue massacre, which reportedly left over 200 people dead, including women and children, has sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria. Celebrities such as Mr Macaroni, 2Baba, and Tacha have also joined the chorus of voices demanding justice for the slain villagers.
In response to public pressure, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly set to visit the troubled state to meet with stakeholders and assess the security situation.
The attack in Benue is the latest in a string of violent clashes in the region, often linked to disputes between farmers and herders over land and grazing routes. The frequency and brutality of these attacks have reignited calls for lasting peace and a stronger government presence in vulnerable communities.
