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Oxlade condemns Benue State killings: “This Is a National Emergency”
Nigerian Afrobeats star Ikuforiji Olaitan Abdulrahman, popularly known as Oxlade, has added his voice to the rising wave of outrage over the recent mass killings in Benue State.
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) page on Monday, June 16, 2025, Oxlade expressed deep sorrow and frustration over the tragic events that claimed the lives of more than 200 people in the Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area.
“The killings in Benue cannot keep being met with silence. These are lives lost, families broken, and futures stolen. Nigeria, how many more? This is a national emergency that we all must partake in,” the singer wrote, adding a broken heart emoji and the hashtags #StopTheKillings and #PrayForBenue.
The killings in Benue cannot keep being met with silence. These are lives lost, families broken, and futures stolen. Nigeria, how many more? This is a national emergency that we all must partake in.
💔 #StopTheKillings #PrayForBenue— ᴏxʟᴀᴅᴇ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴀғʀɪᴄᴀ (@oxladeofficial) June 16, 2025
The attack, which reportedly occurred between Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14, was allegedly carried out by suspected armed herders. Graphic reports and distressing footage from the scene have stirred widespread national grief, with victims reportedly burned alive and entire communities left devastated.
Oxlade now joins a growing list of Nigerian entertainers, including 2Baba, MI Abaga, and Portable, who have taken a public stand, urging the government to act swiftly and decisively. Their collective call reflects the entertainment industry’s increasing role in advocacy and national discourse.
As public pressure mounts and voices from within and outside the entertainment industry grow louder, many Nigerians hope the government will heed the call and implement immediate, meaningful solutions to prevent further bloodshed.