Nigerian pastor slams FG over Benue killings

Renowned Nigerian cleric, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has condemned the Federal Government’s handling of the ongoing killings in Benue State, describing the situation as “evil, barbaric, and mayhem.”

In a strongly-worded post on his official X handle, the founder of Omega Fire Ministries expressed deep frustration over the government’s failure to curb the violence, calling on citizens particularly the people of Benue—
to rise in self-defense.

“If the federal government knows it’s overwhelmed or its security architecture has failed, they should be humble enough to tell the citizens,” Suleman wrote. “Self-defense is enshrined in the constitution… People of Benue, defend yourselves.”

His remarks come in the wake of another brutal attack that claimed over 200 lives in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of the state. The victims, many of whom were reportedly internally displaced persons, were killed in a night raid that has shocked the nation and drawn widespread condemnation.

Suleman also criticized politicians for focusing on the 2027 general elections while ordinary citizens continue to live in fear. “It’s ridiculous that people are thinking of 2027 while mayhem is being unleashed in 2025 on citizens they are supposed to govern. What happened to your humanity?” he queried.

Closing his post with a somber reflection, the fiery preacher lamented, “There was a country…”