By Gite Igiehon
Society Column
Video to Graphic to be shown Here!
VeryDarkMan Shares Shocking Footage of Burnt Bodies, Homes in Benue Fulani Herdsmen Attack
The online space erupted with grief, outrage, and renewed calls for justice on Sunday after controversial Nigerian social commentator and activist, VeryDarkMan, released harrowing footage of what appears to be the aftermath of a violent attack on a rural Benue community, allegedly carried out by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The visuals, which include charred bodies, burnt homes, and weeping survivors, have reignited national discourse on the persistent killings in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region.
A Disturbing Scene Captured on Camera
In a graphic video shared across social media platforms, VeryDarkMan is seen walking through the ruins of a village reportedly located in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. He narrates as he moves from one burnt home to another, pausing at the blackened remains of human bodies—some of them believed to be children and the elderly.
“This is not just violence. This is genocide,” he says, his voice heavy with emotion. “Where is the government? Where is the military? These people were slaughtered like animals and their homes torched. And no one is talking about it.”
The footage, which quickly went viral, has drawn mixed reactions. While many Nigerians applauded VeryDarkMan for bringing the tragedy to public attention, others expressed horror at the images, questioning why such atrocities continue to occur with little or no accountability.
Benue’s Longstanding Struggle
The state of Benue, once referred to as Nigeria’s “Food Basket,” has in recent years become a theatre of unending conflict between farming communities and nomadic herdsmen. At the heart of the crisis lies a complex web of ethnic tension, land disputes, grazing rights, and weak security enforcement.
The most recent attack, which reportedly left over a dozen people dead, is just one of many that have occurred this year alone. Survivors say the attackers arrived in the dead of night, armed with AK-47s, machetes, and incendiary materials. They opened fire, set homes ablaze, and fled before any security reinforcements could respond.
One local resident, speaking anonymously, told journalists:
“We had no warning. They came like ghosts. We’ve buried children. Our wives are dead. Our homes are gone. What’s left for us?”
Despite repeated assurances by the federal government and security agencies, the frequency of such attacks suggests a failure in intelligence, response time, and a deeper unwillingness—or inability—to confront the root causes of the violence.
Silence of the Authorities
Following the viral video, questions are being raised about the seeming silence of national authorities. As of Monday morning, there had been no official statement from the Nigerian Police Force or the Nigerian Army, and President Bola Tinubu’s administration has yet to address the issue directly.
VeryDarkMan criticized the silence in a follow-up post, stating:
“If a celebrity had trended for wearing a controversial outfit, every news outlet would be buzzing. But entire communities are wiped out, and no one in power bats an eyelid. Why are poor lives this cheap in Nigeria?”
His sentiment resonates with many Nigerians, especially in the Middle Belt and other conflict-prone regions, who say they feel abandoned by the state and left at the mercy of heavily armed groups.
Reactions from the Public
Social media platforms have since been flooded with reactions under trending hashtags like #BenueMassacre, #JusticeForBenue, and #StopTheKillings. Human rights groups, local civil society organizations, and some political figures have joined the chorus demanding urgent government intervention.
Amnesty International Nigeria released a brief statement calling for an independent investigation into the killings and urging authorities to “ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice and affected communities protected.”
Opposition politicians have also begun to speak out. A senator from Benue State condemned the violence during a press briefing, urging the federal government to deploy more troops and to adopt long-term solutions to the farmer-herder conflict.
The Role of New Media and Citizen Journalism
VeryDarkMan’s involvement underscores the growing role of independent voices in highlighting human rights abuses in Nigeria. In an era where traditional media sometimes shies away from sensitive stories due to political pressure or security risks, individuals like him are increasingly stepping in to amplify issues from the grassroots.
While his methods and tone often spark controversy, many acknowledge that he is filling a critical gap in Nigeria’s media and governance landscape—one that brings raw, unfiltered truth directly to the public’s attention.
What Lies Ahead?
The recent footage is a grim reminder of the worsening security crisis in rural Nigeria. Beyond the footage, the challenge remains: how will the government respond—not just in words, but in decisive, long-term actions? The people of Benue, and indeed many other states affected by similar attacks, are calling for more than just condolences—they are demanding justice, safety, and lasting peace.
Until those calls are met with real action, voices like VeryDarkMan’s will continue to rise, not out of defiance, but out of a desperate plea for a country that values every life, no matter how rural, poor, or politically irrelevant it may seem.
