President Bola Tinubu is visiting Benue State today in a renewed push to end the persistent violence plaguing communities in the state, following the killing of over 200 people by armed herdsmen over the weekend.
The visit underscores the gravity of the situation, with President Tinubu aiming to assess the crisis firsthand and meet with critical stakeholders to chart a path toward lasting peace.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, confirmed that the attacks were carried out by armed herders, as condemnation continues to pour in from across the country. The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the leadership of the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), have jointly called for an immediate end to the bloodshed, declaring: “Enough is enough.”
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, also condemned the killings, attributing the motives behind the attacks to economic interests rather than religious divisions. Meanwhile, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has called on the Federal Government to ensure the perpetrators are identified and prosecuted to stop the recurring violence.
In a statement issued on Monday, presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed that President Tinubu’s visit is aimed at directly engaging with stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the crisis. Originally scheduled to visit Kaduna State on Tuesday to commission state projects, the President has postponed that trip to Thursday to prioritize the Benue visit.
“During his stay, President Tinubu will meet with traditional rulers, political leaders, religious and community figures, as well as youth representatives,” the statement read. “He will hold a town hall meeting with all stakeholders to listen to concerns and proffer lasting solutions to the hostilities.”
In preparation for the high-level visit, the President has already dispatched top officials to Benue, including the SGF, the Inspector-General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Defence.
President Tinubu, who condemned the killings hours after they occurred, has called for peace, love, and mutual understanding among Nigerians. He extended condolences to the bereaved families and all those affected by the tragic events.
The visit marks a significant move by the Presidency to demonstrate leadership in response to one of the country’s most pressing security and humanitarian crises.
