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. AS Heads for Benue Over Massacre Outrage
By Tracy Moses
A social media post by Mr. Solomon Iorpev, the Technical Adviser on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communication to Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State, has ignited widespread criticism amid renewed violence and tragic killings in Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area.
Mr. Iorpev’s lengthy commentary, titled “The Need for Benue to Unite Against a Common Enemy,” was seemingly intended to defend Governor Alia’s handling of the deteriorating security situation. However, it has triggered outrage among many Benue citizens and stakeholders, who accuse the aide of deflecting blame and downplaying the gravity of the crisis.
In the post, Iorpev portrayed Governor Alia as a silent but deeply committed leader, claiming the governor is “more heartbroken than anyone else” over the spate of killings ravaging communities across the state. He argued that Alia prefers to act quietly rather than make public statements on security matters.
“There is a unique thing about him: he doesn’t talk security, he works security,” Iorpev wrote. “I can assure you with every sense of responsibility that in no distant time, Benue will be the most peaceful state in Nigeria.”
The aide further called for unity among the people of Benue, urging them to set aside political divisions and rally against a “common enemy,” a vague reference to those he claims are orchestrating violence to take over the state’s ancestral lands.
However, it was Iorpev’s scathing remarks directed at Nigerian social commentator and activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), that sparked the most public backlash.
VDM recently visited Benue State in the aftermath of the Yelewata massacre, where he joined youths in a peaceful protest and visited survivors of the attack.
Questioning the activist’s motives, Iorpev suggested that VDM’s intervention may have been politically motivated.
“Why the sudden focus on Benue? Has he ever led a protest in Kaduna where he was raised, or in Southern Kaduna when killings were rampant?” Iorpev asked, casting suspicion on the activist’s intentions.
He further warned against inviting “outsiders” into Benue’s internal issues, suggesting such actions could worsen the situation and potentially lead to the imposition of a state of emergency.
“Anyone who invites an outsider to a household fight has no plans of seeking peace but of destroying the family completely to its core,” he declared.
VDM, however, maintains that his visit was purely humanitarian.
During his tour of the affected communities, local youth leaders informed him that over 170 bodies had been recovered from the attacks, with expectations that the death toll could exceed 200. This starkly contradicts Governor Alia’s claim during a Channels Television interview, where he stated that 59 people had died, a discrepancy that has fueled further criticism.
The activist explained that his visit was aimed at drawing national attention to the tragedy, standing in solidarity with victims, condemning political and media silence, amplifying survivors’ voices, and holding the government accountable.
In response to Iorpev’s post, reactions from Benue stakeholders have been swift and sharp.
Abuja-based lawyer, Barrister Gbashima, whose community has suffered repeated attacks, questioned the government’s preparedness.
“Mr. Iorpev, there were reports of impending attacks on Yelewata. What did the governor do to prevent or contain the attack?” he asked.
Hon. Bemgba Iortyom, a 2027 governorship aspirant, also weighed in, stated that civic protests, whether led by indigenes or outsiders, are a democratic right, especially when people feel abandoned.
“When the people are failed by their leaders, it is within their rights to raise their voices, and it shouldn’t matter whether those voices come from within or outside,” Iortyom said.
Even longtime friends of Iorpev have expressed discomfort with his remarks.
Prince KindHeart Noah Tor, an associate of Iorpev, acknowledged the media aide’s attempt to foster unity but highlighted what he described as an increasing disconnect between the governor and the people.
“The people are bleeding and yearning for hope, encouragement, and leadership. Yet, every opportunity His Excellency has had, he has instead deepened the gulf of enmity with stakeholders,” Noah lamented.
He urged Governor Alia to immediately convene a stakeholders’ reconciliation meeting where all grievances can be addressed and a common front established to combat the insecurity threatening the state’s fabric.
“This is no time for blame games. It is time for forgiveness, unity, and collective action to save our land,” he said.
Amid the growing outrage, many Benue citizens are calling on the governor to speak directly and consistently to his people, provide accurate updates, and build consensus across political divides, something previous administrations, despite their flaws, were more inclined to do.
Meanwhile, in a significant move reflecting the seriousness of the crisis, President Bola Tinubu has rescheduled his official visit to Kaduna State and will instead, travel to Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, as part of renewed efforts to foster peace and address the persistent conflict affecting the region.
This was contained in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser (Information and Strategy) to the President, on Monday.
According to the itinerary released over the weekend, President Tinubu was originally scheduled to visit Kaduna on Wednesday to commission various state government projects. However, that trip has now been moved to Thursday, June 19, 2025.