The National leadership of the Association of Female Comrades (AFC) has strongly condemned the recent killings in Benue State, describing the continued violence against civilians as “barbaric, unacceptable, and a stain on the conscience of the nation.”

Speaking at a phone briefing on Monday, the National President of the association, Comrade Muniretu Isah, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and called on the federal government to take immediate and decisive action to protect citizens across the country, particularly in conflict-prone communities.

“We are devastated by the recurring killings in Benue State,” Comrade Isah said. “This is no longer a crisis of insecurity alone—this is a humanitarian emergency. Women, children, and entire families are being wiped out. As a female-led association, we are particularly disturbed by the gendered impact of this violence—women are widowed, children are orphaned, and communities are destabilized.”

The AFC president emphasized that the time for rhetoric had passed, urging President Bola Tinubu and all relevant security agencies to intervene swiftly with lasting solutions. “We demand that the government step up intelligence gathering, deploy adequate security forces, and bring the perpetrators to justice,” she added.

Also speaking during the briefing, the Vice President of the association, Comrade Lateef Taiwo Soffiyah, echoed similar concerns and emphasized the need for an inclusive national response.

“We are tired of offering condolences every other week,” Comrade Soffiyah said. “The people of Benue are Nigerians too, and they deserve to live in peace. The government must ensure that rural communities are not forgotten and that justice is served. Our association is ready to work with civil society and government stakeholders to ensure that this issue remains in the national consciousness until real action is taken.”

The AFC further announced plans to stage a nationwide solidarity march in the coming weeks to draw broader attention to the crisis and pressure key decision-makers into implementing sustainable security reforms.

The association called on fellow activists, civil society organizations, and all well-meaning Nigerians to rise against the normalization of mass killings, particularly in rural areas where state protection is minimal.