Vanguard Newspaper has ignited widespread criticism for its decision to prioritize a front-page story on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike commissioning a water supply project in Abuja, while the gruesome killings in Benue State over the weekend were relegated to lesser coverage.
The attacks, which took place in Daudu and Yelewata communities of Guma Local Government Area, claimed at least 59 lives, with local sources estimating up to 200 deaths, including military and civil defence personnel. The violence, attributed to suspected armed herdsmen, has intensified calls for urgent federal action to address the escalating insecurity in Benue.
The choice of Vanguard’s front-page headline on Monday, June 16, 2025, drew sharp reactions on social media, particularly on X, where users accused the newspaper of downplaying the tragedy to favor political optics. One user, @Winningmindset7, expressed dismay, stating, “Over 200 people killed in Benue, and Vanguard’s front page is about Tinubu and Wike’s water project? This is shameful.” Another, @pereyiii, questioned whether political influence swayed the editorial decision, asking, “Has Tinubu’s APC bought Vanguard’s silence on the Benue massacre?”
The Benue killings, described by witnesses as brutal and systematic, involved homes being torched and entire families slaughtered. President Tinubu responded on Sunday, condemning the “senseless bloodletting” and directing security chiefs to restore peace, as stated by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
However, the federal government’s response has been criticized as inadequate, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and civil society groups like HURIWA demanding stronger measures, including declaring a state of emergency in Benue to curb the recurring violence.