Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and social activist, Folarin Falana, better known as Falz, has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu following the tragic killings in Benue State, accusing the government of gross negligence and a repeated failure to uphold its primary responsibility of safeguarding the lives of citizens.
Falz took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, June 16, 2025, to voice his deep frustration and disappointment in the administration’s handling of the growing insecurity plaguing the nation. In a bold and unapologetic tone, the artist described the government’s approach to security matters as inadequate and reactive rather than proactive.
“You have consistently shown that you are incapable of performing the primary duty of securing the lives and property of your citizens. This routine statement does not cut it,” Falz tweeted, directly addressing President Tinubu’s late response to the crisis in Benue.
You have consistently shown that you are incapable of performing the primary duty of securing lives and property of your citizens. This routine statement does not cut it. https://t.co/1AAW1uflAl
— Bop Daddy (@falzthebahdguy) June 16, 2025
His remarks came in the wake of a devastating attack in Benue State, where over 200 people were reportedly killed by suspected herdsmen. The brutal massacre has drawn widespread national and international condemnation, with many blaming the Nigerian government for a slow and ineffective response.
Public outrage surged following the incident, with calls for accountability and immediate action to protect vulnerable communities. Social media has been flooded with messages of grief, anger, and disappointment, and Falz’s voice has emerged as one of the strongest from the entertainment industry demanding justice and transparency.
Amid mounting pressure, President Bola Tinubu finally issued a statement via his own X account on Sunday, June 15, 2025, where he declared “Enough is enough!” He stated that he had directed Nigeria’s security agencies to take decisive action, arrest those responsible on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them according to the law.
I have been briefed on the senseless bloodletting in Benue State. Enough is enough! I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them. Political and community leaders in Benue State…
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) June 15, 2025
In the same message, Tinubu also called on political and traditional leaders in Benue to refrain from making inflammatory comments that could aggravate the already tense situation. He tasked the Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, with spearheading efforts aimed at reconciliation and peacebuilding within the affected communities.
“Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony, and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice,” the President wrote.
However, despite the president’s eventual intervention, the delay in addressing the crisis has left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Nigerians. Critics noted that prominent international figures, including Pope Francis, had already spoken out on the issue before any word came from Nigeria’s highest office, further fueling frustrations over what is seen as a recurring trend of late and ineffective leadership responses to national tragedies.
Falz's outcry has since resonated widely across social media platforms, with many citizens echoing his sentiments and demanding not just words, but visible action and long-term strategies to prevent future massacres.