Richard Gabriel
Popular Nigerian rapper and outspoken activist, Falz, has taken to social media to express deep frustration over the wave of killings in Benue State, calling out President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as a disturbing lack of response from the federal government.
Falz Blasts President Tinubu Over Benue Killings
Benue has been facing deadly attacks in recent weeks, reportedly carried out by armed herdsmen. Entire communities have been destroyed, lives lost, and many residents displaced. Yet, the federal government has remained largely silent, offering no clear plan or visit to the affected areas. This silence has angered many Nigerians, including Falz.
Reacting to the situation on social media, Falz didn’t hold back. He wrote, “People are being killed daily and those in power are acting like everything is fine. This is not normal. President Tinubu, your silence speaks volumes.”
His comment quickly went viral, drawing reactions from across the country. Many praised him for speaking up, while others used the moment to call on the government to take urgent steps to protect lives in Benue and beyond.
Falz, whose real name is Folarin Falana, is well known for using his music and platform to address national issues. From his controversial hit “This is Nigeria” to his frontline role in the #EndSARS movement, he has always been vocal about injustice. His latest reaction adds to the growing chorus of voices demanding government accountability in the face of rising insecurity.
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On the ground in Benue, the pain is real. Locals say they feel abandoned. A community leader in Guma expressed heartbreak, saying, “We’re burying our people almost every day, and it feels like no one in Abuja is listening. We’ve been left to suffer in silence.”
The attacks have received minimal coverage in national media, and no top government official has visited the affected areas. This has only fueled feelings of neglect, with many residents arguing that the federal government would respond differently if such killings were happening in Lagos or Abuja.
A youth activist in Makurdi put it this way: “It’s like we don’t exist. If this kind of violence happened in the capital, it would be on every news channel. But here in Benue, all we get is silence.”
Falz’s post has helped shine a spotlight on the crisis again. He stressed that the situation shouldn’t be treated as just another political issue. “This is not about party lines—it’s about human lives,” he said.
Following the backlash online, the presidency released a short statement condemning the killings and promising to act. However, many Nigerians were unimpressed by the vague wording and lack of concrete steps. As of now, there’s still been no visit to the affected communities by federal leaders.
Several human rights organizations are also stepping in, urging international bodies to look into the violence and the government’s handling of it. Some have even hinted at the need for independent investigations into potential human rights violations.
As the situation unfolds, one thing remains clear—Falz has reignited a conversation many were trying to ignore. And his message is a strong one: the people of Benue deserve protection, empathy, and real solutions—not silence.
