Popular Nigerian activist and critic, VeryDarkMan, has faulted President Bola Tinubu’s call for dialogue with suspected herdsmen following the massacre of over 200 people in Yelwata, Guma LGA of Benue State.
The attack, which saw scores burnt alive, has drawn international outrage. Pope Leo was among the first to condemn the massacre, calling for justice.
However, President Tinubu’s response, which included a directive for Governor Hyacinth Alia to initiate dialogue and reconciliation, has drawn strong criticism from the activist.
In a video posted on Instagram, VeryDarkMan said the president’s stance implies the attackers are “bigger than the government,” adding that it would be naive to think Nigeria’s security agencies are unaware of the perpetrators’ identities or movements.
“You want to dialogue with people who burn others alive?” he asked. “This shows they’re even bigger than the President, the APC, PDP — everyone.”
He questioned the silence of top security officials: “It’s clowning if the DG of DSS, the IG of Police, and the Chief of Defense Staff say they don’t know what’s going on in Benue.”
According to him, the attackers entered with gallons of petrol and AK-47 rifles, raising concerns over how such a large group crossed into the area unnoticed.
VeryDarkMan, who joined Benue youths in a protest in Makurdi on Sunday, called for self-defense: “Every farmer in Benue needs to get a licensed gun. It’s bigger than government intervention now.”
He also decried the lack of media attention to the killings, suggesting that public outrage only grew after he personally documented the scene.
The video has stirred intense reactions online, reigniting conversations around insecurity, government response, and the protection of vulnerable communities.
