The Labour Party (LP) has condemned the mass killings in Benue State and demanded a full-scale investigation and immediate prosecution of the perpetrators, regardless of their affiliations or social status.
Describing the attacks as ‘a fresh wave of senseless killings’, the party’s National Caretaker Committee, led by Senator Nenadi Usman, called for an urgent deployment of security forces to vulnerable communities across Nigeria’s North Central region.
In a statement on Monday, the acting National Chairman lamented the killing of over 100 people, including women, children, displaced persons, and security personnel, and the widespread destruction of homes and livelihoods.
‘These victims were not just statistics. They were human beings — innocent lives violently cut short.
‘Children, who deserved protection were butchered. Mothers who should be nurturing families were buried in mass graves. Fathers defending their homes were mercilessly slain’, Usman said.
The LP leader decried the level of violence, noting that the burning of homes, ambushes on security forces, and repeated targeting of displaced persons are painful reminders of the government’s continued failure to protect its citizens.
‘The bloodshed in Benue should shake every conscience in this country.
‘This is not just a local tragedy — it is a national shame. The helplessness of the displaced and the boldness of the attackers reveal a dangerous vacuum in leadership and accountability’, she said.
In addition to military intervention, the party called for a robust humanitarian response to the crisis, including the provision of food, shelter, medical care, and trauma support for survivors.
Usman urged the citizens to rise above ‘routine condemnations’ and press for concrete action, warning that silence and inaction only embolden the perpetrators.
‘To the grieving families, I mourn with you as a mother. To the children now orphaned, the women widowed, and the shattered communities — you are not alone. Your pain echoes across this nation. Your cry for justice will not go unheard’, she vowed.
LP pledged to continue advocating for policies that prioritise the safety and dignity of all Nigerians, especially those in rural and conflict-prone communities.
‘Nigeria cannot continue like this. Enough is enough’, Usman said.
