President Bola Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s security chiefs to immediately go after those responsible for the brutal killings in Benue State.
The directive was issued on Wednesday during the President’s visit to the state, following renewed attacks that have claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands, particularly in the Yelwata community of Guma Local Government Area of the State.
Speaking during a stakeholder meeting at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, Tinubu expressed frustration over the lack of arrests.
Addressing IGP Kayode Egbetokun directly, Tinubu asked: “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.”
Addressing the heads of security agencies, Tinubu demanded a more coordinated intelligence effort to track down the perpetrators.
“Christopher (the Chief of Defence Staff), you have given much. I watch your comments, you can’t be tired of staying in the bush. Oluyede 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,” Tinubu told the Security Chiefs all present.
The President’s visit came amid mounting public outrage and political pressure, with several opposition leaders, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, condemning the attacks and urging decisive federal government’s action.
Leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, also described the incident as “a terrible massacre.”
On Sunday, Tinubu had directed Governor Hyacinth Alia to convene a reconciliation meeting between warring factions in the state, as part of efforts to restore peace.
Reinforcing that message of unity during his address, Tinubu called for mutual tolerance and national cohesion.
“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,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to embrace dialogue and focus on shared development goals.
“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 told Governor Alia.
“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,” Tinubu added to loud applause.
President Tinubu, at the meeting, also canvassed for the establishment of a committee comprising past governors of the state, traditional rulers, and other important stakeholders to help in finding lasting solutions to the lingering issues affecting Benue State.
“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,” the president said.
Tinubu said Benue State deserves to live in peace and is asking Nigerians to donate blood to the injured victims of the recent surge of killings.
He said, “Governor, please announce in the broadcast for people to donate more blood voluntarily to the hospitals”.
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