President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday issued a stern directive to Nigeria’s security chiefs, demanding the immediate arrest of those behind the recent wave of killings in Benue State, which have claimed over 100 lives in Guma Local Government Area.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, Tinubu expressed dismay over the lack of arrests following the deadly attacks, warning that inaction by security agencies would no longer be tolerated.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata?” Tinubu queried pointedly. “Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately.”
The President, represented by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also tasked the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather actionable intelligence to ensure swift justice.
Addressing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Tinubu emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between security forces and local communities to prevent further bloodshed.
Reeling from the scale of devastation, the President charged Governor Hyacinth Alia to immediately constitute a peace committee comprising former governors, traditional rulers, elders, federal representatives, and non-indigenes to chart a path to lasting peace.
“We must meet again in Abuja and fashion out a sustainable peace framework. I am ready to invest in that peace,” he pledged. “We will convert this tragedy into prosperity.”
Tinubu also directed the Benue State Government to allocate land for ranching, while instructing the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to follow up on implementation.
Following a visit to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, where he met with victims of the attacks and medical personnel, the President called for blood donations and restated the urgent need for peace as a precondition for development.
“I wanted to come here to commission projects, not to see gloomy faces. The value of human life is greater than that of a cow,” Tinubu lamented. “We were elected to govern, not to bury people.”
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to securing the nation, Tinubu reminded Governor Alia of his mandate: “You were elected under the progressive banner to ensure peace, not to bury our people. We will work with you to restore peace.”
The President also took a swipe at political opposition, noting, “Not everyone will like you in politics. They hate me too—like hell. But here I am, still your President. Leadership is protecting even those who abuse you.”
In his remarks, Governor Alia appealed for the establishment of a Special Intervention Fund to rebuild communities devastated by repeated attacks.
“We humbly urge the Federal Government to create a special intervention fund to rehabilitate displaced persons, rebuild destroyed homes, and restore livelihoods,” Alia said.
He also reiterated his call for the creation of state police as a lasting solution to the insecurity plaguing the region.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, applauded President Tinubu for being the first sitting President to visit victims in hospital following such violence.
However, the monarch minced no words in his assessment of the crisis.
“Your Excellency, it is not herder-farmer clashes. It is not communal violence or reprisals. What we are facing is a calculated, well-orchestrated genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits,” he said.
Ayatse accused some political actors of exploiting the crisis for personal gain and warned against misinformation, which he said had led to inadequate responses over the years.
“We hear some politicians want the crisis to fester to justify calls for a state of emergency. That is tragic and unpatriotic,” he said.
The monarch appealed to the President to give Benue residents a chance to return to their farms and rebuild their lives.
“All we ask is to stop the tears. Give us peace in Benue so our people can go back to their farms and feed the nation,” Ayatse pleaded.
Dignitaries at the meeting included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, governors of Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa states, as well as traditional rulers and former governors of Benue.
'
'
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
