Apostle Johnson Suleman has delivered a fiery rebuke to the Nigerian government over the relentless killings in Benue State, calling on the people to rise in self-defence amid what he described as a shameful failure of national security.
The Senior Pastor of Omega Fire Ministries, Auchi, Edo State, took to his verified Facebook page on Sunday, June 16, 2025, demanding accountability from federal authorities while condemning the gruesome attacks attributed to armed herders in Benue and other parts of the Middle Belt. His message was clear: “PEOPLE OF BENUE, DEFEND YOURSELVES.”
Suleman criticized the silence and perceived indifference of national leadership, declaring that the government had failed in its primary responsibility to protect lives. “If the federal govt knows it’s overwhelmed or its security architecture has failed, they should be humble enough to tell the citizens,” he wrote. “Self-defence is enshrined in the constitution.”
The cleric, known for his bold political commentary, recalled similar warnings during his past visits to Jos and Benue, stating that the signs of collapse had long been evident. He described the violence as “evil, barbaric, and mayhem,” warning that inaction only emboldens attackers and endangers innocent lives daily.
In a sharp dig at Nigeria’s political class, Apostle Suleman accused politicians of prioritizing 2027 election strategies over the present bloodshed. “It’s ridiculous that people are thinking of 2027 whilst mayhem is being unleashed in 2025 on citizens they are supposed to govern… What happened to your humanity?” he asked, invoking Chinua Achebe’s haunting phrase: “There was a country…”
His comments come just days after over 100 cattle reportedly died while armed herders fled across River Benue, and after dozens of civilian casualties were recorded in Guma and Gwer West LGAs. Calls for urgent state and federal response have intensified, but many fear political silence is feeding impunity.
As tensions rise and communities continue to mourn, Suleman’s message is stirring both outrage and resonance. “We can’t watch this continue,” he said. And now, more than ever, those words echo through Benue’s wounded heart.
