‘We have nowhere else to turn’ – Aida Nath Ogwuche writes heartfelt letter to Tinubu on Benue massacres

Amid worsening insecurity in Benue State, legal practitioner and prominent advocate for justice, Barrister Aida Nath Ogwuche, has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pleading for urgent and decisive intervention to stem the bloodshed in the state.

In a letter titled “Benue Is Bleeding”, Ogwuche decried the spate of violent attacks, killings and kidnappings that have overrun Benue communities, especially rural farming areas, turning farmlands into graveyards.

Her letter is coming following the recent attack on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government of Benue State where over 200 persons were killed.

Ogwuche warned that Benue, once Nigeria’s food basket, is now fast becoming a graveyard due to unchecked violence and government inaction.

Below is the full text of her letter:

Dear Mr. President,

I write to you today with a heavy heart as a mother and daughter of Benue State, compelled by the dire situation we face.

It is with deep concern that I bring to your attention the worsening insecurity in our state. The recent wave of violent attacks, kidnappings, and bloodshed has plunged our people into fear, crippling livelihoods and paralyzing the economy of a state largely sustained by farming.

I humbly appeal to you, Mr. President, to heed our cries and intervene to save the lives of Benue’s people. We have nowhere else to turn.

The killings have reached an alarming rate, forcing families to flee their ancestral homes, abandoning what remains of their once-peaceful communities. Our roads are now overrun by armed assailants; travel has become a death sentence, with many either abducted or killed outright.

Worse still, it is farming season, yet our people who feed the nation cannot tend to their fields without fear. Countless farmers have been found lifeless on their own farms, murdered simply for striving to feed their families and contribute to society.

We urgently plead for relief from these relentless attacks. Our people are helpless as the carnage continues unchecked.

In light of this, I respectfully urge your administration to take immediate and decisive action, including:

Deploying additional security forces to Benue State.

Coordinating with neighboring states to secure our borders.

Strengthening intelligence efforts and community collaboration to prevent attacks.

Addressing root causes through sustainable, long-term solutions.

Declaring a state of emergency in the worst-affected areas to restore order swiftly.

The people of Benue deserve peace, safety, and the protection of their government. I implore you, Mr. President, to act without delay, lives hang in the balance.

We would be profoundly grateful for your swift intervention.