President Bola Tinubu will today (Wednesday) visit Benue State as tensions mount over renewed deadly attacks in the region, including the recent massacre in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area, that claimed at least 59 lives and displaced hundreds.
His visit follows national outrage over the escalating violence and comes just days after he pledged to cut short his schedule to personally commiserate with the people of Benue.
Ahead of his arrival, Tinubu deployed a high-powered delegation to the state, comprising the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees.
His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed the development in a statement on Monday, noting that the President’s visit underscores the urgency and gravity of the security situation in Benue.
While in the state, the President is expected to hold a town hall meeting with critical stakeholders and community leaders as part of efforts to chart a way forward.
The President’s visit comes in the wake of widespread condemnation of last Friday’s attack on Yelwata, where gunmen suspected to be herders stormed the community in an overnight raid.
The killings triggered angry protests by youths and drew sharp rebuke from opposition leaders. Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the PDP, and his Labour Party counterpart, Peter Obi, both called on Tinubu to act decisively to stop the bloodshed.
Even the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, described the violence as a “massacre” and urged an end to the senseless killings.
Defence Chief Meets Traditional Rulers, Assures Justice
On Tuesday, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, met with traditional rulers and stakeholders in the state. He assured residents of the military’s commitment to restoring peace and bringing perpetrators to justice.
“The Armed Forces are with you. We are pained about what’s happening. For me, it’s a personal thing. I don’t want to be the chief of defence when people are being killed,” Musa said.
He lamented that Nigeria, which had successfully brought peace to war-torn countries like Liberia and Sierra Leone, must not continue to bleed internally.
“If we notice anybody within our ranks sabotaging this effort, we are ready to prosecute that person,” he vowed.
To mark the significance of the President’s visit, the Benue State Government declared today a public holiday.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Serumum Deborah Aber, the government encouraged residents to come out en masse to welcome the President. However, workers in essential services, such as healthcare, security, and banking, are exempted from the directive.