President Bola Tinubu, during a visit to Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, instructed the nation’s service chiefs and Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to relentlessly track down those responsible for the brutal killings in the state, which have claimed numerous lives and left many others gravely wounded.
The directive was issued in Makurdi, the state capital, as Tinubu addressed a stakeholders’ meeting at the Benue Government House, following renewed violence in the North-Central region.
“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,” Tinubu said, expressing frustration over the lack of progress in apprehending the culprits.
“Christopher (the Chief of Defence Staff), you have given much. I watch your comments, you can’t be tired of staying in the bush. 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 violence in question stemmed from an attack last week by suspected herders on the Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area, a key agricultural hub, resulting in significant loss of life and the displacement of thousands.
The massacre triggered widespread anger, fueling protests across parts of Benue and drawing sharp criticism from opposition leaders like Peter Obi of the Labour Party and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who urged Tinubu and security agencies to curb the bloodshed. Pope Leo XIV also condemned the violence, labeling it “a terrible massacre.”
Unity and Dialogue Emphasized
On Sunday, Tinubu had called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to organize a reconciliation meeting to foster dialogue between conflicting groups, aiming to halt the violence and restore calm to Benue. During Wednesday’s visit, he reiterated the importance of unity and peaceful coexistence.
“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,” Tinubu told the audience, which included Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, traditional leaders, governors, and other dignitaries.
“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,” he said to Governor Alia, earning applause from the crowd.
“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.”
Proposal for a Leadership Committee
Tinubu proposed the formation of a leadership committee, comprising former governors, traditional rulers, and other key stakeholders, to devise enduring solutions to Benue’s security challenges.
“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 stated.
The President also appealed for blood donations to support victims recovering from injuries and visited a hospital in Makurdi to meet with those affected by the attacks.
Governor Alia’s Call for State Police
Governor Alia advocated for the establishment of state police and an intervention fund to aid impacted communities, arguing that community policing, despite its challenges, is vital to resolving the ongoing crisis in the agrarian state.
Traditional Ruler Decries ‘Genocidal Invasion’
The Tor Tiv V, James Ayatse, Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, described the killings as deliberate and genocidal, rejecting narratives that frame the violence as mere clashes.
“We have grave concern about the misinformation and misrepresentation of the security crisis in Benue,” Ayatse said.
“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.”
