During his visit to Benue State on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu directed Nigeria’s service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take immediate action against those responsible for the recent wave of violence that has left dozens dead and many injured.
Addressing a stakeholders’ meeting at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, Tinubu expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of arrests following the deadly attacks.
“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,” he stated.
He also addressed the Chief of Defence Staff, saying, “Christopher, you have given much. I watch your comments, you can’t be tired of staying in the bush.”
He acknowledged the efforts of other top security officials, adding, “Oloyede and the Air Marshal, we thank all of you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground, let’s get those criminals, let’s get them out. DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels and let’s have tangible intelligence so that this will not occur again.”
The Yelwata community in Guma LGA was recently attacked by suspected herdsmen, an incident that claimed over 59 lives and displaced thousands.
The tragedy triggered public outrage and protests across the state.
Political figures such as Peter Obi of the Labour Party and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the killings, calling for urgent government action. Religious leaders, including Pope Leo XIV, described the massacre as “a terrible massacre.”
Earlier in the week, Tinubu had advised Governor Hyacinth Alia to initiate peace talks with all factions involved in the crisis.
He reiterated that call during his Wednesday visit, stressing the importance of dialogue and national unity.
“As Nigerians, we are members of the same house, but sleeping in different rooms. Whether you are a Tiv, Idoma, or Yoruba, let’s turn this country into a nation of prosperity, and unity, and fight our enemies together; not fight each other,” he said, addressing an audience that included SGF George Akume, APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, governors, and traditional rulers.
“We can turn this tragedy into economic prosperity. We can do it, and we will do it with you. Let’s have a very serious understanding of, tolerance level. The value of human lives is greater than that of a cow,” Tinubu told Governor Alia.
“Let’s create that synergy for peace, development, and prosperity. We are here to govern, not to bury them. We are here to raise families, not to lose some, and provide healthcare, water for them to drink, and food [for them] to eat,” the President added, receiving applause from the crowd.
As part of long-term efforts, Tinubu proposed the formation of a leadership committee consisting of past governors, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders.
“Whatever we need to do, I will want us to create this leadership committee now, and then we will meet in Abuja to really fashion out the nucleus of a lasting peace, and I am ready to invest in that peace,” he said.
He also encouraged Nigerians to donate blood to help the injured and visited victims at the teaching hospital.
Governor Alia, for his part, emphasized the need for state policing and a dedicated intervention fund to support affected communities.
“Though community policing comes with challenges,” he said, “it is essential to ending the lingering crisis rocking the food-producing state.”
Meanwhile, Tor Tiv V and Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, James Ayatse, firmly rejected the notion that the killings stem from herder-farmer conflicts.
“We have grave concern about the misinformation and misrepresentation of the security crisis in Benue,” Ayatse told the President.
“Your Excellency, it is not herders-farmers clashes, it is not communal clashes, it is not reprisal attacks or skirmishes. It is this misinformation that has led to suggestions such as ‘remain tolerant’, ‘negotiate for peace’, or ‘learn to live with your neighbours.’
“What we are dealing with here in Benue is a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits, which has been on for decades and is worsening every year.
“Wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment. So we are dealing with something far more sinister than we often admit,” he concluded.
