Super Eagles player, Ahmed Musa has faced criticism on social media for addressing the killings of travelers in Edo State.
While many agree with the sentiment that every life matters, several users expressed disappointment over what they perceive as selective outrage.
@seyialli remarked that Musa had not spoken out during previous tragedies, involving similar violence in the north, particularly the case of Deborah and the attacks by herdsmen in the south.
This sentiment was echoed by another commenter who accused northerners of only voicing their concerns when the victims are from their region, describing this behavior as hypocritical.
He said “I agree with your post that every life matters. However, I am disappointed in you for not commenting on similar situations that happened in the north concerning Deborah and others, or when herdsmen kill and rape in the south.
If you read through your comment section, you will realize you’re a huge disappointment.”
@Omorogiec added: “The problem is that you northerners only find your voices when it involves one of you. It’s shameful and hypocritical. If you had been voicing your concerns like this during the incidents in Deborah, Benue, Ebonyi, etc., maybe we wouldn’t be where we are as a nation.”
A broader discussion emerged about the state of governance and justice in Nigeria.
@tmscool lamented that lives have become devalued due to a lack of accountability for past crimes. He highlighted the government’s failure to take responsibility, suggesting that until deeper issues are recognized and addressed, the cycle of violence will continue.
He stated “it’s a sad reality in Nigeria now that lives seem meaningless. This is a result of a lack of governance and justice for various heinous crimes in the past that have been excused by those in authority who should have acted.
“People are now resorting to self-help and jungle justice. Prosecuting these individuals will not solve the problem; the government needs to acknowledge its role in all of this and make amends before it is too late.
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“A country where those who expose corruption are arrested by police on the orders of the corrupt, and killed while in custody will breed these kinds of evil actions and reactions. Until we start to speak the truth about the root causes of our issues, we will never find a way out.”
Other users criticized Musa for remaining silent when it was convenient, suggesting that his current outrage reflects a troubling tribal and religious bias.
They urged him and others to develop a sense of humanity that transcends geographic and cultural divides.
@enyola said: “We got here because people like you kept quiet when it was convenient. We arrived at this point because the axe cutting the forest was made of wood, so you thought, oh, the axe is one of us, so we can’t condemn it.
“Now, you’re screaming because the lumberman is using a chainsaw. It’s still the same forest, same wood, just a different tool being used. The question you should be asking is, where was my humanity before the killers were from Edo and the victims were your Muslim brothers from the north?
“It’s about tribe, religion, and everything else, so stop the hypocrisy. Musa, let’s hope this serves as motivation for all of us to start speaking up instead of waiting until it’s close to home. I hope you’re truly embracing your humanity now.”
@digitalaom commented “if only there had been such vocal expressions during the incidents involving Deborah, Benue, and Ebonyi, perhaps we could have taken steps to prevent our current situation as a nation.”
These reactions underscore a growing frustration among Nigerians, regarding selective outrage in the face of violence and a call for unified advocacy against injustice, regardless of victims’ backgrounds.
