Politics
SocialMediaTrends: Nigerians angered by Buhari’s tweet on Mali crisis amid Benue killings

Aggrieved Nigerians have taken to social media to register their grievances over the spate of killings and deadly attacks on various communities in Benue state.
The reactions came after at least 36 residents were reportedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen who attacked Shikaan Mbagena Kpav community in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The assailants were said to have invaded the community in the early hours of Thursday and began to slaughter the victims, some of whom were students of the College of Education, Katsina Ala.
The gruesome massacre sparked outrage among Nigerians on social media who refer to the onslaught in the state as an ongoing silent ‘genocide’.
Hashtags like #NigeriaBleeds, #BenueUnderAttack and #EnoughIsEnough also made appearances on Twitter’s trends chart as Nigerians called on the Federal government and security agencies to put an end to the killings by marauding herdsmen in the state.
These reactions followed:
But make una wait oooo, why all these silence and negligence from president Buhari, are we getting used to this reckless style of leadership?? Enough is enough! The president need to come out and address us, it takes him nothing to jet down to Benue but he won’t #NigeriaBleeds
— Akeula Trendy™ (@akeula_trendy) May 28, 2021
After seeing what happened in benue last night may God purnish any Nigerian still supporting and defending this failed blood thirsty fulani administration #NigeriaBleeds pic.twitter.com/XD3ZghRnvs
— 👑EMMANUEL KINGS 👑 (@simplicity596) May 28, 2021
Where is David Mark, where is Tony Ogbeh,Gabriel Suswam, George Akume, TY Danjuma, Jonah Jang and others?
Where is everyone silent?
Where is Tuface, M.I, Jesse Jags, Skales, PSquare? Why is no one talking about what is going on in the middle belt?#BenueUnderAttack #NigeriaBleeds— Daniel (@clevadani001) May 28, 2021
Is it a crime to be a Nigerian? ……Enough of the killings , we’re tired😭😫.#BenueUnderAttack #BenueGenocide #NigeriaBleeds
— flawless aduke (@flawless_aduke) May 28, 2021
Just coming online and the first thing I see is #BenueUnderAttack and #NigeriaBleeds 🥲
Is this our new everyday reality?
This is so sad 😞
— Dr. Kelechi Okoro #AskDrKel (@healthertainer) May 28, 2021
Under one man seen thousand of deaths ,many displaced , crime at its peak and one Alhaji is shouting one Nigeria. Our mumu don do
Enough is enough southern kaduna #BenueUnderAttack #NigeriaBleeds pic.twitter.com/tR1ebqVPSw
— kempes (@OsinaJames) May 28, 2021
The more I try to encourage myself that Nigeria would be better, the more I see news that breaks my heart on a daily.
I look forward to days where I’ll always be happy to be a Nigerian. 💔💔#BenueUnderAttack #NigeriaBleeds #EndSARS #NigeriaMourns
— Oluwabunmi Fadahunsi (@0luwabunmi_) May 28, 2021
Read Also: SocialMediaTrends: Reactions trail proposed Sharia Law in Yorubaland, appointment of COAS & more
Mali
Despite reports of killings in the Middle Belt region, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has enjoined actors in the political crisis in Mali to work together to restore peace and unity in their country.
The President made the call when he received Former Nigerian President, Special Envoy and ECOWAS mediator on political crisis in Mali, Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidetial Villa in Abuja on Friday.
Addressing the Issue on his official Twitter handle, the president wrote:
“I met with the former President Jonathan this morning, on the situation of Mali, where he is ECOWAS Special Envoy and Mediator. I am calling on all actors and stakeholders to come together for the peace, unity and security of Mali. We cannot afford a further escalation of this crisis” after deactivating his comment section.
The mediation was to secure the release of the now freed Interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane, who were both arrested by the military.
The arrest will jeopardise an 18-month transition back to democracy after a coup last August which overthrew President Ibrahim Boubakar Keira from office.
Many Nigerians have marvelled at the President’s ‘meddling’ into the external crisis while his own home was on fire.
I met with former President Jonathan this morning, on the situation in Mali, where he is ECOWAS Special Envoy & Mediator. I am calling on all actors and stakeholders to come together for the peace, unity and security of Mali. We cannot afford a further escalation of this crisis. pic.twitter.com/6cgIsewlSw
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) May 28, 2021
What about crisis in Nigeria? Who is briefing him on that?
— Angela Hart (@TheNextAfrican) May 28, 2021
Lolz
— Sabdat Yusuf (@sabdattwitt) May 28, 2021
Buhari's Hypocrisy is on another level
— Mazi Dothraki (@MaziDothraki) May 28, 2021
Your country is literally on fire but you’re calling on actors and key stakeholders to intervene in what’s happening in Mali. You haven’t secured your own country, but you’re bothered about Mali.
God, what did we do to deserve this man as our president? This is heartbreaking!😭
— Mazi Olisaemeka C. ™ (@OlisaOsega) May 28, 2021
We have a government tweeting about issues in Mali but totally ignoring the Genocide Happening in Benue and the numerous insecurity issues all over the country.
No one deserves being governed this way.#BenueUnderAttack
— SpinnMovieSpot (@SpinnMovieSpot) May 28, 2021
Read Also: SocialMediaTrends: Buhari’s absence at Attahiru’s funeral — Nigerians react to Garba Shehu’s excuse
Sharia
Nigerians on social media have continued to lend their voices against the implementation of Sharia law in the South-West region of Nigeria.
This is as many consider the situations plaguing the nation more enormous, compared to the Islamic religious law.
Find reactions on the topic below:
This noise for Sharia in the SW is the culmination of something that's been afoot for a while. When we were talking, they said we were "islamophobic". Lol. This agitation is well funded and designed to split the SW. We're sleep walking.
— xT. Rankïn' ∆ 🏁 (@AfroVII) May 28, 2021
I'm not concerned by that Sharia in the SW topic. Na persin wey hin governor get presidential ambition for APC make e worry.
My governor is Seyi Makinde. I'll be alright.
— Olóyè. (@oloye__) May 28, 2021
This Sharia in the SW is classic divide and rule. The sponsors know that most people in the SW are against it, but you see you just need a sizeable minority to upset the harmonious relationship that has been the hallmark of South Westerns and you will find yourselves fighting..
— Gbane (@iamthechoko) May 28, 2021
Map of Nigeria must be redrawn. Ortom, the MiddleBelt must choose to remain in the N or join the S. Water & oil cannot mix. Killing people bcos they don’t adhere to your faith, destroying alcohol but collecting taxes on it, implementing Sharia in a secular state, is an aberration
— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) May 28, 2021
It is dishonest to even imagine, let alone argue that Sharia law does not affect non Muslims. We have heard with our own ears and seen with our own eyes how Sharia law has affected non Muslims in the North. Let's stop calling a spade a big spoon.
— Ben X (@Benn_X1) May 28, 2021
It's not as if he didn't say it
He did… Nigerians simply decided to Ignore facts— Paddy4Vieira (@MeduaIV) May 28, 2021
…By Okiemute Abraham
Join the conversation
Opinions
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.