A leading pro-democracy group, Save Nigeria Movement (SNM), has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take firm and immediate action in response to the escalating violence in Benue State. The group condemned what it described as the deafening silence of key northern stakeholders over the killings, warning that the crisis has reached a national security emergency that can no longer be ignored.
In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Joseph Akawe, SNM expressed deep concern over attempts by some quarters to downplay the severity of the attacks, which have reportedly claimed nearly 200 lives, including women and children, in recent weeks.
“Mr. President, while we appreciate your visit to Benue and the expression of empathy, the situation has moved beyond rhetorical appeals for peace,” Akawe said. “As rightly pointed out by HRM Prof. James Ayatse, Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, these attacks represent a systematic and targeted assault aimed at displacing innocent communities.”
The group urged the federal government not to treat the situation as a state-only matter, insisting that decisive national action is needed to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice.
SNM also criticized what it sees as selective outrage within northern political and cultural circles, stating that the silence of certain high-profile figures could be perceived as tacit complicity. The group challenged northern leaders to demonstrate the same urgency and concern for Benue as they have shown in other crises affecting the North.
“The nation has witnessed how swiftly northern groups have reacted to incidents involving northerners in other regions. The same level of solidarity must apply when the lives of other Nigerians are under threat,” the group stated.
Backing Governor Hyacinth Alia’s call for the establishment of state police, SNM described the initiative as a “long-overdue structural reform” capable of addressing the root causes of insecurity in Benue and across other volatile regions.
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The group further weighed in on the contentious issue of land use and grazing policies, warning against any frameworks that would prioritize the interests of one group over the rights of native communities. It called for a national policy shift toward ranching as a sustainable alternative to open grazing, especially in areas already devastated by conflict and displacement.
While acknowledging growing calls for self-defense, SNM urged communities to exercise restraint, cautioning that unregulated vigilante actions could further destabilize the region. Instead, it called for the urgent development of state-controlled and accountable security mechanisms to protect vulnerable populations.
The group concluded by urging Benue residents to remain resilient and supportive of legitimate government interventions, while calling on federal authorities to lead a transparent, inclusive response that restores public confidence and national cohesion.
“If the people lose faith in both state and federal responses, the situation could spiral into chaos,” SNM warned. “This is the moment for unity, accountability, and lasting solutions. Nigeria cannot afford to fail Benue.”
