In a heartfelt appeal, popular Nigerian comedian and skit maker, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, widely known as Sabinus or Mr. Funny, has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently intervene in the ongoing wave of killings in Benue State. The comic actor made this plea during a video shared on his social media platforms, voicing his deep concern over what he described as a growing humanitarian crisis.
The plea comes amid continued reports of violent attacks by suspected herdsmen in several communities across Benue State. In recent weeks, dozens of lives have been lost in villages and towns within the state, with survivors now grappling with displacement, trauma, and fear for their safety. Sabinus’ message adds a powerful celebrity voice to the growing chorus of public outcry against the silence and perceived inaction of authorities.
In the emotional video broadcast, Sabinus appeared alongside his content production crew, calling out to government agencies and lawmakers to prioritize human life over political distractions.
“Our government and all the relevant security agencies, we are begging you to intervene in the ongoing killings in Benue State. Every life matters. Please, take urgent action to salvage the situation,” he said.
Sabinus warned that if the attacks remain unchecked, other parts of the country may also become affected.
“We’ve been hearing of the killings, but it doesn’t make sense anymore. We don’t know where it will happen next. We can be victims too. Please, government, go and help the Benue people. They need urgent help,” he added, visibly distressed.
According to local reports, over 33 individuals, mostly young men, were recently arrested in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, in connection with the violent episodes. The attacks, believed to be linked to long-standing herder-farmer conflicts, have devastated many rural communities, especially in Gwer West, Logo, Agatu, and Ukum local government areas.
In a separate development, Governor Hyacinth Alia recently revealed that intelligence gathered by security operatives has identified coordinated plans behind the escalating violence. While he assured that his administration is collaborating with the military to neutralize these threats, the frequency and brutality of attacks continue to raise national concern.
Sabinus joins a growing list of Nigerian public figures using their platforms to raise awareness about the insecurity in the Middle Belt region. Earlier this month, activist and lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) accused the federal government of negligence in its constitutional duty to protect lives. Similarly, social commentator and rapper Falz recently slammed President Bola Tinubu, stating that the federal response to the Benue massacres was “woefully inadequate.”
Sabinus’ intervention, however, brings the issue closer to Nigeria’s younger, social media-savvy population who may have been distanced from the gravity of the crisis due to news fatigue or desensitization.
With thousands displaced and many more at risk in Benue, human rights organizations and civil society groups have renewed calls for a national security summit to address the root causes of communal violence, strengthen border patrols, and improve early warning systems.
As the situation escalates, public pressure continues to mount on both state and federal authorities to provide not just lip service, but concrete and sustainable responses to the insecurity plaguing Benue and other conflict-prone states in Nigeria.
Sabinus’ emotional plea is not just entertainment—it is a reflection of the frustrations of everyday Nigerians, a mirror held up to a country grappling with complex security challenges, and a demand that the government must no longer ignore.