President Tinubu has directed security agencies to arrest those responsible for the killings in Benue and urged Governor Alia to set up a peace committee involving key stakeholders.
He also called for land allocation for ranching and pledged federal support to restore peace and rebuild affected communities.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given a clear directive to Nigeria’s top security chiefs, asking them to swiftly arrest the armed herders responsible for the mass killing of over 100 residents in the Yelewata community of Guma Local Government Area in Benue State.
The president made this announcement on Wednesday during a high-level stakeholder meeting at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi. The meeting was attended by several prominent figures, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; traditional rulers; and former governors of the state. Also present were governors from Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa states.
In a firm tone, President Tinubu questioned the delay in arresting those behind the attack, directly addressing the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” the president said.
He also instructed the Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, to enhance collaboration between the military and local communities to ensure such tragedies are prevented. The heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) were also tasked with gathering intelligence that would lead to the capture of the culprits.
During the meeting, Tinubu advised Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to prioritize peacebuilding by setting up a broad-based peace committee. He suggested that the committee should include past governors of the state, traditional leaders, respected elders, federal government representatives, and non-indigenous residents.
“Let us meet again in Abuja. Let’s fashion out a framework for lasting peace. I am ready to invest in that peace. I assure you, we will find peace. We will convert this tragedy into prosperity,” the president said with reassurance.
Emphasizing the importance of sustainable solutions, Tinubu called on Governor Alia to allocate land for ranching. He also directed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to oversee the implementation of this plan. The initiative, according to him, would help address the root causes of herder-farmer tensions in the region.
President Tinubu, who had earlier visited the injured victims receiving treatment at the Benue State Teaching Hospital, made an appeal for blood donations to help support ongoing medical efforts.
He expressed deep sadness over the purpose of his visit, stating that he had hoped to come to Benue for more positive reasons.
“I wanted to come here to commission projects, to reassure you of hope and prosperity, not to see gloomy faces. But peace is vital to development,” Tinubu said.
“The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people,” he added, underscoring the need to prioritize human life in governance.
Tinubu reminded the governor that his administration must focus on restoring security and promoting stability in the state.
“Governor Alia, you were elected under the progressive banner to ensure peace, stability, and progress. You are not elected to bury people or comfort widows and orphans. We will work with you to achieve that peace. You must also work with us.”
Reflecting on the political challenges that come with leadership, Tinubu acknowledged that leaders are often misunderstood or disliked.
“Not everyone will like you in politics. They hate me, too, like hell. But here I am, still your President. I made a promise to protect democracy, freedom, and prosperity, even for my abusers and accusers. That’s leadership,” he added.
In his response, Governor Hyacinth Alia appealed for federal assistance to help Benue communities affected by repeated violent attacks. He requested the creation of a Special Intervention Fund to support displaced residents and rebuild devastated communities.
“Your Excellency, while we continue to mourn our losses and rebuild from the ashes of pain, we humbly urge the Federal Government to consider establishing a special intervention fund for communities affected by these incessant attacks in Benue State,” he said.
According to Governor Alia, such a fund would play a critical role in rehabilitating displaced people, reconstructing damaged infrastructure, and helping farmers regain their livelihoods.
He also reiterated his support for the establishment of state police as a long-term measure to combat insecurity. The governor pledged that his administration would continue to prioritize the safety and prosperity of Benue citizens.
The Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Professor James Ayatse, also addressed the gathering. He commended President Tinubu for personally visiting the victims in the hospital, describing it as a historic and compassionate gesture.
“Your Excellency, it is not herder-farmer clashes. It is not communal clashes. It is not reprisal attacks or skirmishes. 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,” the monarch said.
He also thanked the president for appointing several Benue indigenes to key government positions, including George Akume and Professor Joseph Utsev, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation. He expressed optimism that more appointments would follow.
However, he warned against the misrepresentation of the crisis, arguing that it has led to ineffective responses from authorities. He pointed out that the violence was more than a mere dispute and was part of a larger agenda.
“We hear that some politicians would even prefer that the crisis worsens, so it would serve as a basis for declaring a state of emergency. This is unfortunate. Any politician who prays for more people to die for such a project is working against the wishes of the people of Benue State,” he said.
Appealing to the president for urgent intervention, the monarch concluded with a call for peace.
“All we ask of you, sir, is to stop our weeping. Give us peace in Benue State, so our people, primarily farmers, can return to their farms and continue to produce food for Nigeria.
“I heard a story about a challenge in a place in Kwara State, and you rose and gave them peace in Kaiama. You can do that for Benue.”
President Tinubu assured the people that his administration would work closely with state authorities to end the bloodshed and bring long-lasting peace to the region.
