The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Zone C (North Central), has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompt visit to Benue State following the recent deadly attacks in Yelewata, which claimed the lives of over 100 civilians, including women, children, and students.
In a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Comrade Igbudu Victor, NANS described the President’s decision to cut short his itinerary, including a planned stop in Kaduna, to personally visit the grieving communities in Benue as a “true demonstration of leadership and national consciousness.”
The student body particularly noted the presence of top national security officials accompanying the President—including the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Inspector General of Police, and Directors-General of the DSS and NIA—stating that it brought much-needed reassurance to the traumatized population.
While commending the Federal and Benue State governments, especially Governor Hyacinth Alia, for their coordinated response so far, NANS Zone C emphasized that the time has come to go beyond condolences.
“The time to move from condolences to concrete action is now,” the statement read. “These herders are not spirits. They live among us, and we believe our security agencies have the capacity to track, dismantle, and end their reign of terror.”
NANS Zone C’s Key Demands Include:
- Immediate deployment of joint tactical operations to flush out armed herders and criminal elements from Benue State.
- Swift intervention by the State Emergency Management Agency to assess the destruction and begin the delivery of relief materials and rebuilding efforts.
- Provision of trauma counseling and psychological support to affected victims, especially children, women, and students.
- Prompt prosecution of arrested perpetrators to restore confidence in the justice system and deter future attacks.
The student body also reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rights and safety of Nigerian students and citizens in the North Central region, pledging to remain vigilant and vocal until justice and peace are restored.
“As we look forward to a more secure and prosperous Benue State, we mourn with the bereaved, stand with the displaced, and continue our struggle for justice,” the statement concluded.
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