Nollywood actor and now lead pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Jimmy Odukoya, has spoken out passionately against the brutal killings in Benue State, describing them as a “genocide” and not mere casualties of war.
In a strongly worded statement shared via Instagram, Odukoya mourned the over 200 lives lost in the recent massacre in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area.
His reaction joins the rising chorus of public figures and Nigerians demanding accountability and swift justice in Benue State.
“My heart bleeds over the genocide happening in Benue. The blood of the innocent killed cries loud for justice from the earth! How long will we stay silent?! When homes are tuned to crematoriums and fields become mass burial grounds!”
Jimmy Odukoya
Shaken by the mass destruction, Odukoya highlighted the sheer horror of the attack and the stories told by survivors.
“Body parts and bones litter the ground and tell a harrowing story of wickedness. Evil that does not discriminate against the old man or the infant child, men, women, and babies all pay this price at the ultimate cost!
“These killings are not casualties of war but as a result of pure and senseless evil perpetrated by callous beasts whose hearts have become stone. Men who do not regard the sanctity of human life. I call on the government to live up to its duty and protect Nigerians.”
Jimmy Odukoya
The Yelewata massacre, which took place in early June, saw over 200 residents—many of them women and children—murdered in a night attack by suspected herdsmen.
The incident has sparked national outrage, with celebrities including Mr. Macaroni, 2Baba, Ayra Starr, and Tacha expressing their grief and anger.
President Bola Tinubu has now scheduled a visit to Benue State, after facing mounting pressure from civil society, religious leaders, and Nigerians to address the growing insecurity and ethnic violence in the region.
Benue Crisis: Yul Edochie Pens Open Letter to Tinubu
Amid the national outcry over the recent massacre in Benue State, Nollywood actor Yul Edochie wrote an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appealing for urgent action on the country’s worsening security crisis and economic hardship.
Addressing the president directly via his Instagram handle, Edochie wrote: “His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, @officialasiwajubat, Nigerians do not hate you, they hate the situation they find themselves in, which is the hardship & insecurity in the country.”
The actor acknowledged some of the administration’s infrastructure achievements and economic policies, but stressed that none of it would matter if Nigerians continued to live in fear or could not afford basic needs.
“His Excellency Sir, you have done so well in infrastructure and laid down some good policies. Tackle insecurity and high cost of living and you’ll write your name with gold in the hearts of Nigerians.”
Yul Edochie
Edochie’s comments come in the wake of nationwide grief over the killing of more than 200 people in Benue State, one of the deadliest incidents in recent history.
However, Reality TV star and influencer Tacha reacted to the mass killings in Benue State.
Filming from a hospital bed, Tacha broke down in tears, expressing anguish, frustration, and deep sadness over the government’s delayed response and perceived lack of empathy.
“I woke up this morning asking, Where did I go wrong being a Nigerian? Where did we go wrong, being Nigerians? Where did we go wrong? Did we pick our country? Where did we go wrong as Nigerians?”
Tacha
Tacha referenced the ongoing war between Iran and Israel, noting that because Nigeria is not at war, people should not be dying in the hundreds.
“What is the offence Nigerians have committed that is strong enough for more than 200 people to go to bed in the night and not wake up the next morning? I need everybody to understand that Israel and Iran are at war, and up to 200 people have not been killed, but in Nigeria, you can go to bed and your tomorrow is not guaranteed, and on top of this, we have to beg the government to even talk about it.”
Tacha
The massacre, which has shocked the nation, has drawn widespread condemnation from celebrities and citizens alike. Tacha slammed the Nigerian government for their lack of empathy over the issue and the lives lost.
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