Nigerians have taken to social media to berate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his silence on the recent massacre in Benue State, where over 200 people were reportedly killed during a night attack on the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area.
The backlash followed President Tinubu’s June 13 condolence message to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over a deadly plane crash in India that claimed the lives of 270 people.
While the message was issued less than 24 hours after the incident, the presidency has yet to make any comments on the terrorist attack in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where hundreds of people were reportedly killed on Friday.
The contrast has sparked anger and disbelief among Nigerians, especially on 𝕏 where many users condemned the federal government’s perceived indifference to the plight of its citizens.
One user, @UnkleAyo, wrote: “It’s been more than 24 hours since 200 people were slaughtered in Benue, a people under the country you claim to preside over. Nothing from you yet but this was you to India. Cursed may you be.”
Echoing the sentiment, @OurFavOnlineDoc said: “The Nigerian president sent commiseration to the prime minister of India within 24 hours of the plane crash… Yet it is over 48 hours that 200 people are reportedly butchered by terrorists in Benue and the president says nothing. What an inhuman lunatic.”
Others questioned the value of Nigerian lives in the eyes of their government. “200 lives lost in Benue. 200 futures cut short… What is the value of a single Nigerian life?” asked @aproko_doctor.
@patrickanum decried the silence from the presidency: “Under Tinubu’s watch, Benue State has become a killing field. Villages wiped out, lives lost, yet silence from the Commander-in-Chief.”
Another user, @IamTheTownCrier, criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of focusing more on political endorsements than citizen welfare: “The primary purpose of any Government is the security and welfare of its citizens. APC has failed Nigerians in all ramifications.”