#StopBenueKillings:Popular Activist, VeryDarkMan Visits Benue, Leads Protests, Calls for Urgent Action
By: Olufemi Orunsola
In a courageous show of solidarity for the people of Benue, popular social media influencer and activist, VeryDarkMan got tongues wagging as he joined thousands of protesters in Makurdi on Monday to lead a powerful demonstration against the ongoing mass killings in Benue State, calling for urgent action.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA OTN News reports as gathered that the protest tagged #StopBenueKillings, shut down major roads, including the busy Abuja–Makurdi highway.
In a viral video of the protest sighted by OTN News, crowds marched, cried, and demanded government intervention after yet another bloody weekend that reportedly left over 200 people dead, entire villages burned, and families torn apart.
During a live broadcast, VDM advised the indigenous people of Benue to “Get a licensed firearm or prepare to die."
He argued that, “If the government won’t protect us, we have no choice but to protect ourselves.”
The presence, participation and courageous leadership provided by the popular activist has subsequently sparked a wide range of viral reactions and fierce national debates on the rising wave of insecurity in the country and how the government respond to the humanitarian crisis.
The activist’s emotional appearance in Makurdi—surprising residents with his presence in Wurukum—has been described as an inspiring act of leadership.
“This isn’t about fame,” he said. “This is about survival. Women are being raped, children are being burnt alive, and the government keeps turning a blind eye.”
The Makurdi protest quickly escalated after security operatives reportedly fired tear gas and live ammunition at unarmed demonstrators. Fourteen protesters were arrested.
Despite the brutality, celebrities like Sabinus and others joined in solidarity, going on their knees in the street while pleading, “Stop the killings in Benue!”
As the nation mourns Benue, fresh terror unfolded in the Southeast. Alleged Fulani herdsmen launched a deadly attack in Agu-Amede, Eha-Amufu, Enugu State, late Sunday night, leaving several residents dead and forcing thousands to flee.
Eha-Amufu is fast becoming a ghost town, as entire communities are abandoning their ancestral homes and livelihoods in fear of relentless attacks. “People are sleeping in forests, in churches, anywhere they feel remotely safe,” one local source revealed. “These terrorists have turned our homes into war zones.”
The twin tragedies in Benue and Enugu have ignited outrage online, with Nigerians demanding accountability and urgent action. “This is genocide,” a protester shouted in Makurdi. “And the world must hear us.”
Reacting to the Benue crisis, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed condolences to the people of the state, saying, “The leadership and people of Benue State should accept our condolences. I will adjust my schedule to visit Benue people on Wednesday.” However, critics say such statements come too late and lack the urgency needed to halt the bloodshed.
For residents of Benue and Enugu, the fear is constant, and hope is running thin. Entire communities are being erased, yet the killers move freely. The federal government’s silence, slow response, and perceived indifference have led many to a single conclusion: self-defense is no longer optional—it’s necessary.
As protests continue and pressure mounts, Nigerians are no longer asking for attention—they’re demanding protection. And if that protection won’t come from those in power, then, as VeryDarkMan warns, “The people must become their own shield.”
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