‘Fulani will kill me’ — Benue graduate’s prophecy comes true weeks after viral Facebook post

DDM News

A young Nigerian man, Mathias Yogboh, has been killed in a brutal attack in Benue State, sparking national outcry and grief.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Yogboh, fondly known as Jagaban, was murdered by suspected Fulani militia in Aondona community.

The attack is one of many that have recently plagued rural communities in the state, particularly in the Gwer West Local Government Area.

Yogboh, a graduate of Religious Education from the University of Calabar, had previously expressed fear of being killed by herdsmen.

In a haunting Facebook post dated April 20, he wrote: “Help me look for a better wife to marry before Fulani kill me, making me die as a childless person.”

Barely weeks later, the chilling premonition became a reality, as his community came under siege from gunmen.

Locals said the attackers stormed Aondona in a midnight raid, leaving trails of destruction, death, and trauma behind them.

Yogboh was among several casualties, with eyewitnesses confirming he died from gunshot wounds.

His online message, which resurfaced after the incident, has gone viral, stirring public emotion across social media platforms.

Many Nigerians have shared his post in sorrow and disbelief, describing his death as avoidable and heartbreaking.

Human rights activist Ukan Kurugh, reacting to the tragedy, lamented the systemic failure to protect lives in the region.

In a tribute on Facebook, Kurugh said: “He once shared his fears… now he’s gone. Not long ago, he voiced his deepest fear, the threat of Fulani terrorist herdsmen. Tragically, that fear became his reality.”

“They took him from us. A voice silenced. A life cut short. A family shattered. Rest in peace, dear brother. You didn’t deserve this,” he added.

The incident highlights the ongoing security crisis in Benue, which has long been at the center of farmer-herder conflicts.

Since 2013, the state has suffered recurring attacks that have displaced thousands and claimed countless lives.

Communities like Guma, Gwer West, Logo, and Agatu have become flashpoints in a conflict many believe is underreported and poorly addressed.

Successive administrations have pledged to end the killings, but residents say little has changed on the ground.

The Benue State Government has yet to issue an official statement on Yogboh’s death at the time of this report.

Meanwhile, civil society groups and activists are calling for urgent intervention and justice for the slain graduate.

Calls are also growing for the federal government to label armed herdsmen as terrorists, following their consistent pattern of violent attacks.

Security experts argue that the inability to classify these assailants as terrorists emboldens them further.

In 2021, the Nigerian government declared bandits operating in the North-West as terrorists but has yet to take the same step against armed herdsmen in the Middle Belt.

Many Nigerians believe the reluctance to do so suggests ethnic bias or political fear.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has repeatedly condemned the killings, calling them a form of ethnic and religious cleansing.

Benue, a predominantly Christian state, remains on high alert as communities continue to suffer from targeted attacks.

Yogboh’s death is the latest tragedy in a long list of young Nigerians whose lives have been cut short by conflict.

He was said to be a community leader, peace advocate, and active church member, known for his outspokenness on social justice.

His death has left family members and friends devastated, particularly as his earlier post now reads like a prophecy fulfilled.

A former classmate described him as “a bright light extinguished too soon.”

“He dreamed of raising a family, preaching the gospel, and helping his people heal. Now he is gone, and Nigeria is silent again,” she said.

With insecurity deepening in rural Nigeria, many youths are now fleeing to cities or seeking ways to leave the country.

Those who remain live in constant fear of raids, kidnappings, and sudden death at the hands of unknown gunmen.

In response to the viral post and public reaction, security analysts are urging authorities to investigate the Aondona killings thoroughly.

They argue that ignoring such attacks only creates more room for impunity and bloodshed.

So far, no arrests have been made, and the community remains tense as survivors bury their dead.

With elections drawing closer in several states, residents hope new leadership will bring lasting solutions to the cycle of violence.

Until then, Yogboh’s story stands as a painful reminder of Nigeria’s growing insecurity crisis and the cost of government inaction.

He wanted to love, to live, and to build , but violence claimed him before he could begin.

And now, his final words echo across a wounded nation: “Help me look for a better wife to marry before Fulani kill me…”

May his soul rest in peace.

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