Popular Nollywood actor and senior pastor, Jimmy Odukoya, has strongly condemned the recent mass killings in Benue State, referring to the tragedy as a “genocide” rather than a byproduct of conflict. His comments come in the wake of the Yelewata massacre, where over 200 lives were reportedly lost, sparking nationwide outrage and grief.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Odukoya expressed deep sorrow over the killings, describing the scene as a “harrowing story of wickedness” and calling out the government’s failure to protect its citizens.
“My heart bleeds over the genocide happening in Benue. The blood of the innocent killed cries out for justice from the earth!” he wrote.
“These Are Not Casualties of War”
In his emotional statement, Odukoya painted a grim picture of the aftermath, decrying the indiscriminate nature of the violence that claimed men, women, and children alike. He emphasized that the massacre was not a casualty of war, but the result of “pure and senseless evil” carried out by perpetrators he described as “callous beasts” devoid of humanity.
“Homes are turned into crematoriums and fields become mass burial grounds… These killings are not casualties of war but senseless evil,” he lamented.
A Call to Leadership and Prayer for the Bereaved
Odukoya joined the growing chorus of voices demanding justice and government accountability, urging Nigerian leaders to step up to their constitutional responsibility.
“I call on the government to live up to its duty and protect Nigerians,” he stated.
He also offered prayers for the victims and their families, especially those in the Yelewata community, who he noted are left mentally and emotionally scarred by the devastating attack.
“I pray for the Yelewata community… for peace, for strength. May God receive the souls of the dearly departed,” he wrote.
National Outcry Over Recurring Violence
The tragedy in Benue has once again brought to the forefront issues of insecurity and unchecked violence in parts of Nigeria, especially in regions affected by farmer-herder clashes, banditry, and communal unrest.
Odukoya’s statement adds to a growing wave of public frustration, as citizens and public figures alike continue to press for a long-term solution to the bloodshed plaguing rural communities in the country.