NEWS
“I Smuggled a Phone Into the Toilet to Record Them” — Hassan Makes Fresh Claims Over Benue Massacre
Fresh allegations surrounding the deadly violence in Benue State have triggered renewed public debate after a man identified as Hassan reportedly made claims about an alleged weapons collection at the residence of a senator before the attack.
Hassan’s account, which is circulating on social media, has drawn widespread attention because of his reported claim that he secretly recorded activities at the location despite the risks involved.
According to the account attributed to him, Hassan allegedly took a mobile phone into a toilet at the location and used it to record what he claimed to have witnessed.
The reported disclosure has generated questions over the circumstances surrounding the alleged activities, the identity of those involved and whether the information contained in the alleged recording could provide clues about events preceding the Benue massacre.
However, Hassan’s claims have not been independently verified, and there is currently no independently established evidence in the material circulating online to substantiate the allegations.
In the account being circulated, Hassan allegedly claimed that armed bandits collected guns and ammunition from a senator’s residence before the attack in Benue.
He reportedly alleged that the weapons were gathered at the location ahead of the violence, raising questions about whether the activities he described could have any connection to the subsequent killings.
Hassan further allegedly claimed that the same senator was later sent by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to pay a condolence visit following the massacre.
The allegation has particularly attracted attention online, with some users calling for security agencies and other relevant authorities to investigate the claims and determine whether there is any factual basis to them.
If independently established, the allegations could raise serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the violence and whether individuals with access to political or influential circles had prior knowledge of, or any connection to, the events.
For now, however, the claims remain allegations. No independent confirmation of the alleged weapons collection, the identity of the people involved or the contents of the purported recording has been provided in the material circulating online.
The claims have also sparked concerns about Hassan’s safety, with some social media users urging authorities or other institutions to ensure that he is protected because of the potentially sensitive nature of the allegations.
Some commenters have gone as far as calling for Hassan to be taken out of Nigeria and granted protection abroad.
One user wrote:
“This guy needs to be protected, & grant asylum abroad…”
Another commenter said:
“These allegations are too much. It’s actually obvious that some people in power are in charge of killings in Nigeria if not it shouldn’t have been so tough to overcome.”
The reactions reflect the growing public frustration over Nigeria’s persistent security challenges, particularly attacks involving armed groups and the difficulties faced by authorities in preventing violence and bringing perpetrators to justice.
While the allegations surrounding Hassan’s account continue to generate intense discussion, the absence of independent verification means they cannot at this stage be treated as established facts.
Any credible investigation would need to establish the authenticity of the alleged recording, verify Hassan’s account, identify the individuals involved and determine whether there is any demonstrable link between the alleged activities and the Benue massacre.
Until such evidence emerges, the claims remain allegations requiring careful investigation rather than conclusions about the responsibility of any individual or public official.