“Enough Is Enough!” – Benue Indigenes In Diaspora Write An Open Letter To President Tinubu, Demands Justice Over Mass Killings
In a fiery open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Benue indigenes in the diaspora have broken their silence over the recent surge of violence and killings in their homeland. With mounting frustration and grief, the diaspora community is demanding urgent federal intervention, describing the persistent attacks as nothing short of a “silent genocide.”
This powerful letter comes on the heels of the June 14 massacre in Yelewata, a farming community in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, where scores of innocent villagers were killed in what locals described as a well-coordinated attack by suspected herdsmen.
A Cry from Afar: Diaspora Speaks for the Voiceless
The Benue diaspora, made up of professionals, students, and families spread across the U.S., Europe, and other parts of the world, says it can no longer stay silent while their homeland bleeds. In the letter, the group condemned what they see as the federal government’s “dangerous silence and inaction” amid repeated bloodshed.
“We, the sons and daughters of Benue abroad, are heartbroken. We have watched for too long, hoping our cries would be heard. But the killings continue unabated. Enough is enough!” the letter reads.
They accuse the Nigerian government of negligence, alleging a pattern of failure to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the attacks that have plagued Benue communities for nearly a decade.
The Massacres: A Pattern of Blood
According to the diaspora group, the Yelewata tragedy is just the latest in a long line of attacks that have claimed thousands of lives and displaced entire communities. From Agatu to Guma, Logo to Ukum, Benue has become a killing field, with heavily armed assailants raiding villages, burning homes, and slaughtering residents—most of them farmers.
Security agencies have often been accused of slow or non-existent response, while survivors continue to suffer in overcrowded IDP camps with limited access to food, water, and medical care.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly flagged these attacks, warning that they could constitute crimes against humanity if allowed to continue without justice.
Tinubu’s Government Under Pressure
This letter adds pressure on President Tinubu’s administration, which has so far offered general promises of security reform without direct action on the Benue crisis. The diaspora community is now calling for:
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A presidential visit to Benue to assess the situation firsthand.
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An independent investigative panel into the recent and past killings.
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Immediate deployment of special security forces to volatile zones.
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Swift prosecution of those responsible, including any complicit officials.
They also urged the international community to hold Nigeria accountable for its human rights obligations and assist with humanitarian aid for displaced victims.
“We Will Not Be Silent”
The tone of the letter is clear: the diaspora will no longer play the role of passive observers. They vowed to take the matter to international platforms, including the United Nations, African Union, and International Criminal Court, if no action is taken.
“We are citizens of Nigeria. Our lives matter. Our families’ lives matter. We will not rest until justice is done,” the letter concludes.
Conclusion: Time for Real Leadership
The situation in Benue is not just a local crisis; it is a national emergency with deep moral, political, and security implications. The government must act—not with statements, but with decisive, protective measures for its people.
With the international spotlight slowly turning toward Nigeria’s internal conflicts, President Tinubu now faces a stark choice: lead with justice and compassion, or allow history to remember his silence during one of Benue’s darkest hours.
