Nigerians have taken to the social media platforms to decry the reported persistent killings of citizens in Benue State, described as massacre by locals and commentators.
Benue have been in the news in recent weeks over killings and kidnappings by some armed herdsmen and bandits.
The recent attack in the state reportedly claimed lives of many residents in the state.
According to reports, some communities in the state came under attack in the early hours of Friday, leading to the death of over 100 people.
However, the Benue State Police Command is yet to verify this report as of press time.
Recall also that following the alarming rate of killings and kidnappings, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State asked the people of his state to defend themselves against the killer herdsmen.
The Governor had repeatedly demanded the federal government’s intervention, of which proved abortive.
“I’ll no longer announce the deaths of those killed by Fulani herdsmen; rise up and defend yourselves with weapons not prohibited by law, bows and arrows, spears, knives, and similar ones,” Ortom had said.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Twitter Community have created a hashtag #BenueUnderAttack on Friday, aimed at calling the attention of relevant authorities to some gory images of the killings that occured in Benue State.
Here are some of the angry reactions harvested from Twitter:
Popular Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, took to her official Twitter handle to condemned the recent attack in Benue State.
She tweeted, “Much as I am trying to focus on other things..
The images of bodies lain on the floor in huge numbers has dampened my spirit somewhat..
Why does life mean nothing in Nigeria?
To our rulers??
Too much blood shed….too much, God
#BenueUnderAttack”
A former presidential aide, Reno Omokri also took to his official Twitter handle to decried the killings in Bemue State.
He tweeted, “Except Benue gets their own Sunday Igboho, these almost daily attacks that have characterised #BenueUnderAttack will continue to happen. If Benue people clash with cows, General @MBuhari will ALWAYS side with cows. Benue needs an Igboho that will side with them”
“#BenueUnderattack
Out of the 23 local government areas in Benue state, the Killer herdsmen have invaded and occupied 14 and may invade the remaining 9 if urgent measures are taken to curb this Genocide,” (@Ngr_KOLA)
“As the killings keep rising and nothing substantial is being done, we all in Benue State and the entire Middle Belt may end up losing our lives, our identity and our land if we fail to rise up now! This is a genocide and must be referred to as such!! #BenueUnderAttack,”(@KatorTarkaa)
“It’s a pity there’s no security to tackle the issue of Fulani herdsmen killing the indigenous occupants of Benue state.It’s a pity our so called leaders are so silent, who interest are you representing? If they’re wiped out who will you govern #BenueUnderAttack,”(one_josh)
“There are planned attacks going on in Benue State and no one is saying anything about it. Just last night about 200 people were killed in cold blood but you’ll never hear it anywhere on the news. Where did we go wrong? #BenueUnderAttack,”(@ChiefTerhemba)
