... Warns of looming food crisis, blasts presidency’s slow, politicised response
By Jumoke Owoola
Nigerian-born activist and member of the “Take It Back” Movement, Adejuwon Akinade, has condemned the recent mass killing of over 200 civilians in Yelewata, a farming community in Benue State, describing it as yet another heartbreaking sign of Nigeria’s deepening security crisis.
Speaking in a phone interview with Badagry Today from his base in Melbourne, Akinade did not mince words, accusing the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing the Nigerian people and treating the tragedy with a lack of urgency and empathy.
“What happened in Yelewata is not just an isolated horror — it’s a national disgrace,” Akinade said. “Over 200 lives were lost. Mothers, children, farmers — entire families wiped out. Yet the response from the Presidency was slow and, when it came, it felt more like a political performance than a genuine show of compassion.”
The massacre, which took place under the cover of night in a once-thriving agricultural community, has left the country shaken. Eyewitnesses reported that armed attackers stormed the village, killing indiscriminately, setting homes ablaze, and forcing hundreds to flee. The community, part of Nigeria’s so-called "Food Basket," now lies in ruins.
Since President Tinubu took office in May 2023, Akinade said, more than 10,000 Nigerians have lost their lives to violence, particularly in the northern and middle-belt regions — a trend he described as “unforgivable.”
“It’s hard to ignore the pattern: delayed action, blame games, and no justice. We cannot continue normalising mass murder. The Yelewata tragedy is a stark reminder that the government is not doing enough to protect its citizens,” he said.
Beyond the human toll, Akinade warned of deeper economic and social consequences, especially the threat to national food security. He noted that continuous attacks in Benue are crippling farming activities and driving thousands of farmers off their land.
“Every assault on Benue is an assault on Nigeria’s food supply,” he said. “If the killings continue, we’re staring at a food crisis that will affect every household in this country.”
The activist called on the international community to pay closer attention to the worsening human rights situation in Nigeria. He urged Nigerians, particularly those in the diaspora, to raise their voices against what he described as “a silent genocide” playing out in parts of the country.
Akinade is also demanding an urgent reform of Nigeria’s security architecture, more support for displaced persons, and an independent inquiry into the Yelewata massacre.
“Nigerians deserve leadership that cares — not just about politics, but about people. We need courage, we need action, and we need leaders who will stand up for the value of every Nigerian life,” he said.
While condolences continue to pour in from public officials and political figures, Akinade’s message is clear: Nigerians are tired of empty words. What the country needs now is accountability, justice — and above all, lasting peace.
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