Nigerian celebrities, including actress Kate Henshaw, comedian AY, and rapper Olamide, have joined mounting calls for urgent government action to end the renewed killings in Benue State.
Benue-born singer Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, described the situation as a “national emergency” in a heartfelt video shared on Instagram on Sunday.
“I cannot wrap my head around it,” he said. “What is going on in my state has become a national emergency. It is going to be business as usual again, and that’s the saddest part.”
His comments followed a wave of deadly attacks by suspected herders in Guma and Makurdi LGAs, where over 100 people were reportedly killed in Yelewata and Daudu, and another 25 in Mtswenem and Akondotyough Bawa.
2Baba, 49, expressed anger and despair over the repeated violence. “This thing has to stop. Enough is enough. It has to involve every stakeholder in Benue and across the nation. It’s not child’s play—it’s become ridiculous,” he stressed.
He urged authorities and citizens to unite in finding lasting solutions. “Serious action needs to start. Not just condemnation. My heart is heavy—terribly sad and terribly angry.”
His outcry prompted swift responses from fellow celebrities. Rapper Olamide reposted the video on X, adding, “Prayers up for Benue,” while others echoed similar sentiments, demanding an end to the bloodshed.
Comedian, Ayo Makun, known as AY, added on Instagram: “We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering happening in our homeland. It’s time for us to stand together.”
Rapper and music executive, Jude Abaga, known as MI, also lamented the killings and declared solidarity with affected communities, while calling for an end to the cycle of violence.
“My heart is heavy. It grieves me deeply to see so much of the Middle Belt bleed. The recent killings in Benue are not just statistics, they are our people, our families, our communities being torn apart. We can’t normalise this cycle of violence that has plagued our land for too long. To those we’ve lost: we will not forget you. To those still standing, we stand with you,” the musician wrote.
Popular actor and activist, Mr. Macaroni, voiced his displeasure on X (formerly Twitter), criticising the government’s response to the tragedy.
“Over 200 Nigerians killed in Benue!!! 200 PEOPLE!!!!! 200!!!!!! I don’t think we understand the gravity of this Barbarism!!! What exactly is the Government doing??? 200 PEOPLE??? Just like that!!!!” he wrote.
Singer, Falz, who is the son of human rights lawyer, and activist, Femi Falana, SAN, also criticised the government, tackling the President over the failure protect the lives of Nigerians.
The rapper, known for his activism through music, wrote on X, “You have consistently shown that you are incapable of performing the primary duty of securing lives and property of your citizens. This routine statement does not cut it.”
“Over 200 senselessly slain and burnt alive in Benue and this is not even getting close to enough attention. Why are we so wicked to ourselves?” Falz added.
Singer Ayra Starr, who was earlier criticised for sharing unrelated content amid the public outrage over the Benue killings, later joined the call for awareness by reposting tweets highlighting the massacre — including one that detailed the horrific killing of children while they slept.
Nigerian actress Kate Henshaw, known for speaking out on social issues, also shared tweets calling for an end to the violence.
One of the posts she amplified questioned the value placed on human lives amid the ongoing killings in Benue State.
Meanwhile, the activist had recently decried the state of the nation on June 12, stating that the country’s democratic experience has failed to deliver a meaningful impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
Skitmaker Emmanuel Ejekwu, aka Sabinus, displayed placards with his fellow content creators.
In a post on his Instagram page, he said, “Our government, all the authorities responsible for peace and security in this country, please, we are pleading, every life matters in Benue State. They are humans; try to intervene very fast. We don’t know when it will happen next. It can even happen to us here; that’s why we need to speak out. Government, Benue people need help; life is important.”
The placards had the inscriptions “Stop the killings in Benue State”, “Every life matters”, and “Please, government, intervene.”
Also weighing in, media personality Bobrisky criticised lawmakers for ignoring the killings while prioritising less critical matters.
“Senators/House of Representatives didn’t call an urgent meeting over the killings in Benue… but they can call an urgent meeting when it comes to Bobrisky. Shame!!!!” he wrote.
Pastor Femi Lazarus also urged the Federal Government to act swiftly, citing a trail of violence from “Benue to Plateau to Kaduna, Borno. We are pleading with the government, “Please help look into this.”
Protests, More Outrage
The massacre triggered a protestsin Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
On Sunday, angry youths converged at the Wurukum food basket roundabout, demanding justice and condemning what they described as silence from both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia.
The youths were later joined by a social media influencer, Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
One of the protesters, Solomon Amande, told journalists, “Women, children, the elderly – our people are being slaughtered, and there’s no word from the president or our own governor.”
The protest escalated when the Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, attempted to address the crowd but was rejected by the youths, who insisted on hearing directly from Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Security forces eventually used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
Incessant Killings
The renewed attacks in Benue have left hundreds dead and displaced many. On Friday, June 14, at least 59 people—including military and civil defence personnel—were killed during a night assault on the Yelewata community.
In April, about 60 residents were slaughtered in Ukum and Logo LGAs, while another 42 people were killed in Gwer West in May.
The violence has drawn condemnation from international and national figures. Pope Leo XIV described the recent incidents as a “terrible massacre” and urged justice.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party leader Peter Obi also criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the crisis.
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue has refuted claims that Abuja has neglected the state. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, he said President Bola Tinubu has been supportive.
“Seventeen local governments out of 23 were under siege. We fought it down to three with full Federal support. The last time we had severe attacks, three security units were sent from the Federal Government, and those who occupied local areas had to flee,” he said.
Governor Alia further blamed the state’s porous borders for the continued violence.
He noted a growing shift in the pattern of violence and stated that what began as clashes between farmers and herders has now evolved into well-armed, targeted attacks with little to no link to grazing.
The governor also cited intelligence reports from Nasarawa, claiming some of the terrorists may be using Benue as a passage route.
Meeting with the state governor, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, assured that the Federal Government is determined to curb the violence in Benue State and ensure those responsible are held accountable.
Tinubu To Visit Benue
Tinubu spoke during the inauguration of the Greater Abuja Water Supply project and said he would adjust his schedule to make the trip.
“I will adjust my programme and go see Benue people on Wednesday,” Tinubu noted.
Ahead of the visit, key federal officials — including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, security and intelligence chiefs, and defence committee leaders from the National Assembly — have been deployed to the state.
His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also disclosed that while in Benue, the President is expected to meet traditional rulers, political and religious figures, community leaders, and youth groups in a town hall meeting aimed at finding sustainable solutions to the recurring violence.
The renewed attacks come on the heels of a series of unresolved massacres in April, which claimed the lives of over 150 people across Benue and Plateau states.