-
President lashes out over lack of arrests in Benue massacre.
-
Directs IGP, Defence Chief to hunt down Yelewata attackers.
-
Urges Governor Alia to form peace committee, allocate land for ranching.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate arrest of killer herders responsible for the mass killing of over 100 people in Yelewata community, Benue State, charging Nigeria’s top security officials to take decisive action without further delay.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Benue Government House in Makurdi on Wednesday, the President directly challenged Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa, demanding answers on why no suspects had been apprehended.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata?. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,”Tinubu queried
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
He further instructed the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to escalate intelligence operations and track down the attackers.
He also warned against complacency among security agencies, calling for robust collaboration with local communities.
Tinubu urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to immediately set up a multi-stakeholder peace committee that includes former governors, elders, traditional rulers, non-indigenes, and federal appointees from Benue.
He also asked Alia to allocate land for ranching and directed the Minister of Agriculture to follow up without delay.
“We must convert this tragedy into prosperity. I assure you, we will find peace.I did not come here to see gloomy faces but to commission projects. But peace is vital to development,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu reminded the governor of his mandate: “You are not elected to bury people or comfort widows and orphans. You were elected to ensure peace, stability, and progress.”
The President also visited injured survivors at the Benue State Teaching Hospital and called for nationwide blood donations to aid treatment efforts.
Governor Alia, in his response, pleaded with the federal government to establish a special intervention fund for communities affected by repeated attacks.
He said displaced persons needed support to rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, and resume farming.
He reiterated support for the creation of state police as a permanent solution to the security crisis and vowed to work closely with federal authorities to stabilise the state.
Chairman of the Benue Traditional Council, Tor Tiv Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, praised Tinubu’s personal visit but issued a stern warning about mischaracterising the crisis.
“It is not herder-farmer clashes. What we are dealing with here in Benue is a calculated, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits,” the monarch said.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Visits Benue, Vows Justice for Victims of Yelewata Massacre
He accused some unnamed politicians of sabotaging peace efforts for personal gain.
“Some would rather see more people die just to justify declaring a state of emergency. This is wickedness,” he said.
Appealing to Tinubu, the monarch added: “All we ask is to stop our weeping. Give us peace in Benue so our farmers can return to their land and feed the nation.”
