President Bola Tinubu has ordered immediate action following the massacre of over 100 residents in Yelewata, Benue State. He directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, to arrest the killer herders behind the bloodshed.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House, Makurdi, Tinubu expressed outrage over the lack of arrests, asking the IGP pointedly, “Where are the arrests?”
Also in attendance were Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, traditional rulers, former governors of the state, and governors from Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa States.
President Tinubu called for intensified intelligence gathering by the DSS and NIA to fish out the attackers. He urged the Chief of Defence Staff to ensure tighter collaboration between communities and security agencies.
In a bid to foster peace, Tinubu advised Governor Hyacinth Alia to set up a peace committee. He said the committee should include former governors, traditional rulers, elders, federal officials, and non-indigenes.
“Let’s meet again in Abuja. Let’s design a blueprint for lasting peace. I am ready to invest in it. We will turn this tragedy into prosperity,” he assured.
The President also called on Governor Alia to provide land for ranching and instructed the Minister of Agriculture to follow up. He visited victims at the Benue State Teaching Hospital and called for nationwide blood donations.
Tinubu stressed that human life is more valuable than cattle, stating, “We were elected to govern, not to bury people.”
He reminded Alia of his duty as a progressive leader: “You’re not here to comfort widows and orphans. We must deliver peace together.”
Alia, in his remarks, pleaded for a Special Intervention Fund for communities affected by repeated attacks. He said such a fund would help rebuild homes, farms, and livelihoods. He also reiterated support for state policing.
The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, thanked Tinubu for his visit and appointments of Benue indigenes into federal positions. He, however, emphasized that the conflict is not merely communal.
“This is a well-planned genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists,” he said, urging Tinubu to “stop the weeping” in Benue and bring peace, as he did in Kaiama, Kwara State.
