Benue State has been plunged into grief and fury as news of a tragic and preventable incident sends shockwaves across the nation.
Tinubu arrived in Benue on Wednesday following the recent deadly attack that left more than 200 people dead in Yelewata community, Guma LGA in the state. The incident in Yelewata was the latest in a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen that have displaced over 6,500 people across Benue and destroyed property worth billions of Naira.
In a heart-wrenching display of misplaced priorities, schoolchildren were reportedly lined up for hours under heavy downpour to welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his visit to the state, a move that has now ended in unspeakable tragedy. The heartbreaking images of soaked, shivering children forced to smile and wave amidst a torrential downpour have sparked national outrage and condemnation from all corners of the country.
The children were seen singing the Nigerian national anthem while drenched in rainwater.
Parents and civil society groups are livid, describing the event as a “national disgrace” and a “state-sponsored oppression of innocent children”, who are meant to be protected, not paraded.
Anger is mounting over the actions of the organizers, who critics say were more interested in staging a welcome parade for the president than safeguarding the welfare of the children.
The Presidency has yet to issue a formal statement.
