From Victor Osula, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has called on the people of Benue State to partner with his administration in the pursuit of lasting peace and stability in the state.
The President made the appeal on Wednesday during a town hall meeting with key stakeholders at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, the state capital.
Tinubu was in Benue as part of renewed efforts to address the persistent violence that has ravaged several communities, particularly in Guma Local Government Area.
His visit followed the recent deadly attacks on Yelewata village, where Amnesty International and local officials reported that over 100 residents were killed by suspected armed herdsmen.
Dozens remain missing, and hundreds more were injured in the attacks that began late Friday and continued into Saturday morning.
Many of the victims were internally displaced persons who had previously taken refuge in the area after similar attacks.
Condemning the violence, President Tinubu described the killings as “inhuman and anti-progress.”
He was initially scheduled to visit Yelewata to commiserate with the affected residents but had to cancel the trip due to inclement weather and poor road conditions.
“I aborted my visit to Yelewata town because of the rain, flooding, and the bad road,” the President said.
Instead, Tinubu visited the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi, where many of the attack survivors are receiving treatment.
There, he offered condolences, pledged support to the victims, and assured the people of Benue that his government remains committed to restoring peace.
“We must work together. This is not the time for division. With unity and collaboration, peace will return to Benue State,” he told stakeholders at the meeting.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated a high-powered leadership committee aimed at crafting a comprehensive peace strategy for Benue State, following a wave of violent attacks that left at least 100 people dead.
The President made the announcement during a town hall meeting with political leaders and stakeholders at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, the state capital.
Benue has witnessed recurring attacks by suspected armed herdsmen, with the latest massacre in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, drawing national outrage.
Addressing Governor Hyacinth Alia and other political leaders in the state, Tinubu urged unity and swift action to end the bloodshed.
“Your political enemies don’t want you to succeed. Are you just realising that?” Tinubu said pointedly to Alia, before emphasizing the need for inclusive governance.
“We cannot do without one another. I want us to form a leadership committee immediately to meet in Abuja and develop a strategy for lasting peace. I am ready to invest in that peace,” he declared.
The President directed Governor Alia to work with all relevant stakeholders across party lines and serve as a father to all, regardless of political differences.
Tinubu further announced the creation of a Committee of Elders, which will comprise former governors of Benue State and the current Governor of Nasarawa State, to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation.
As part of long-term solutions to the farmer-herder crisis, Tinubu also called on the state government to make land available for ranching, stressing that modern livestock management is essential for ending recurring conflicts.
He appealed to the people of Benue to unite for the sake of peace and urged traditional rulers to play an active role in fostering reconciliation within their communities.
Offering leadership advice to Alia, Tinubu said, “Be ready for insults — that is the burden of leadership. Get your lantern. Seek out those leaders and join forces to find solutions.
“No matter what I do, they will insult me. I read the papers and learn from the criticism — because I can’t see it all.”
The town hall meeting was part of the President’s visit to assess the security situation in Benue and offer federal support to the victims and displaced communities affected by the latest violence.
