The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has met with the paramount traditional rulers of Benue State – the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu Elaigwu Odogbo Obagaji John, as part of continuous efforts to restore peace and security in the State.
The high-level meeting, held in Benue State, followed a directive by President Bola Tinubu to urgently constitute a strategic peace committee aimed at addressing the root causes of violence in Benue and charting a path toward lasting reconciliation and stability.
According to a statement by the director of information in the SGF office, Segun Imohiosen, Senator Akume, during the meeting, described the incident as heartbreaking and reiterated the President’s resolve to end the senseless killings in the food basket of the nation and across the country.
“We want to appeal to you to continue to stay vigilant so that miscreants do not infiltrate the communities. Whenever you observe a breach, do not resist in informing us. The President will never disappoint you,” the statement qouted Akume as saying.
He noted that the inclusion of the Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma in the process reflects the Tinubu administration’s recognition of the important role traditional institutions play in conflict resolution, community dialogue, and peacebuilding.
In their remarks, the two monarchs commended President Tinubu for his physical assessment in the state and assured the Federal Government of their full support and commitment to peace efforts. They also called on all Benue communities to give peace a chance and cooperate with the committee once inaugurated.
The proposed peace committee led by the SGF has commenced consultations immediately, with a mandate to recommend actionable solutions to end the attacks in Benue State.
