Otunba Segun Showunmi, convener of the National Opposition Movement Coalition (NOMC), a platform aimed at fostering grassroots consensus for the selection of future leaders has condemned the renewed killings in parts of Benue State, saying the incident was beyond what any sane mind can comprehend.
In a statement issued by Showunmi on Tuesday made available to Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com), the astute politician expressed deep pain and concern over what he described as persistent and senseless massacre of innocent Nigerians in that particular axis in north central.
The former governorship aspirant in Ogun State in his emotionally-ladden tone added that the Benue humanitarian crisis must be urgently nipped in the bud, noting that it was time to pull up all security reports in the last 10 years and bring to book all persons that have been fingered in those reports, no matter how highly placed.
Below is the full statement of Otunba Showunmi reproduced hereunder:
“BENUE BLEEDS
“The mindless bloodletting of June 13th 2025, that occurred in Yelewata Village in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State is not only heart-rending, it is beyond what any sane mind can comprehend.
“With a heavy heart, I extend my heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the people of Benue and particularly to the people of Yelewata and those who lost their loved ones.
“The footage is too gory for words. We can no longer pretend that the level of killings going on in the country is normal or tolerable after many years and way too many lives, gruesomely taken.
“The share irresponsibility will have grave consequences if urgent and decisive actions are not taken to curtail them.
“I recall my visit and engagement with the United States Congress in 2023, where I desperately pleaded, that designating our country Nigeria as a country of particular concern as a result of the killings in the North during the Buhari led Administration would be bad for the country.
“I doubt if we can escape the designation at this rate and truly it would be most unfortunate.
“The Pope’s prayer for Benue in his Mass is a serious indication that the world is concerned.
“It is time to pull up all security reports in the last 10 years and bring to book all persons that have been fingered in those reports, no matter how highly placed.
“We can engage with structures in the world that have Intel and eyes in the sky, for there is no reason whatsoever for this mess to continue. Enough has to be truly enough.
“The state must be ruthless in dealing with those who are not only complicit, but also, who mismanage the situation, aiding it’s escalation and the locals who play politics with human lives.
“There must be a complete overhaul of the entire security architecture and a shake-up will do the country a lot of good.
“We must never get used to the idea that killings must be swept under the carpet.
“I applaud and send great encouragement to our soldiers in the theatre of crisis and I commend every activist raising their voices against this heinous carnage. May history be kind to us all. Amen
“Segun Showunmi.”
