By Amofokhai Williams
President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to swiftly apprehend those responsible for the recent massacre in Benue State, where over 100 lives were lost in Yelewata community.
Addressing stakeholders at the Government House in Makurdi on Wednesday, the President tasked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, with taking immediate action.
“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,” President Tinubu demanded during the high-level meeting.
Also in attendance were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, traditional rulers, former governors of the state, and governors of Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa States.
The President directed the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to enhance surveillance and intelligence gathering to track down the killers.
He further instructed General Musa to strengthen collaboration between communities and security operatives in Benue.
Offering strategic counsel to Governor Hyacinth Alia, President Tinubu advised the formation of a state peace committee comprising former governors, traditional rulers, elders, non-indigenes, and representatives from the federal government.
“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,” he said.
The President also asked Governor Alia to allocate land for ranching, directing the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to follow up on the process.
Having visited victims at the Benue State Teaching Hospital earlier in the day, President Tinubu called for blood donations to support those injured in the attack.
He expressed regret that his visit to the state was necessitated by such a tragedy.
“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,” he said.
“The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people,” he added.
Turning to the governor directly, Tinubu stressed the need for collaboration with the federal government to restore calm.
“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.
“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,” the President emphasised.
In response, Governor Hyacinth Alia appealed to the federal government to establish a Special Intervention Fund to support communities ravaged by recurring attacks.
“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.
Governor Alia explained that such a fund would support displaced persons, reconstruct destroyed infrastructure, and help farmers regain their livelihoods. He also reaffirmed his support for the creation of state police as a long-term solution to insecurity.
The governor pledged his full commitment to building a peaceful and prosperous Benue.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, lauded Tinubu as the first sitting President to personally visit victims in the aftermath of such violence. He commended the administration for appointing prominent Benue indigenes, including George Akume and Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, and hoped more would follow.
However, the monarch also took a firm stance on the root causes of the crisis.
“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.”
He warned that mischaracterising the situation had led to weak responses and condemned politicians allegedly exploiting the violence.
“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 directly to President Tinubu, the Tor Tiv added: “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.”
