President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a decisive order for the immediate arrest of those responsible for the recent massacre in Yelewata, Benue State, where over 200 people were reportedly killed in a brutal attack linked to armed herders.
During a high-level stakeholders meeting at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, the President directly tasked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, with tracking down and apprehending the perpetrators.
“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 said emphatically, demanding swift action and accountability from top security officials.
The President also directed the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to gather actionable intelligence, while instructing the Chief of Defence Staff to strengthen collaboration between security agencies and local communities to prevent further bloodshed.
The meeting was attended by key national and regional figures, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; traditional leaders led by the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse; and governors from Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa States.
Emphasizing his commitment to ending violence in Benue, Tinubu urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to form a peace committee comprising elders, traditional rulers, former governors, federal lawmakers, and representatives of non-indigene communities.
“Let us meet again in Abuja and fashion out a framework for lasting peace. I am ready to invest in that peace. I assure you, we will find peace. We will convert this tragedy into prosperity,” the President pledged.
He also announced concrete steps toward addressing the underlying causes of the crisis, including directing Governor Alia to allocate land for ranching. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security was tasked with ensuring full implementation of this directive.
The President visited injured victims at the Benue State Teaching Hospital and appealed to Nigerians to donate blood to aid in their treatment. “The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people,” he stated.
Tinubu urged closer cooperation between the Benue State Government and federal authorities, reminding Governor Alia of the shared responsibility for peace. “You are not elected to bury people or comfort widows and orphans. We will work with you to achieve that peace. You must also work with us,” he said.
In a personal reflection, the President acknowledged political challenges but reaffirmed his leadership commitment: “Not everyone will like you in politics. They hate me too — like hell. But here I am, still your President.”
In his remarks, Governor Alia appealed for the creation of a Special Intervention Fund to help rebuild affected communities and support displaced persons, particularly farmers. He also renewed his call for the establishment of state police to enhance local security.
The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse, expressed gratitude for the President’s visit and appointments of Benue indigenes to key positions. However, he challenged national leaders to stop downplaying the crisis. “It is not herder-farmer clashes… What we are dealing with here in Benue is a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits,” he asserted.
He condemned the politicization of the violence, warning that using tragedy for political gain is a betrayal of the people. “All we ask of you, sir, is to stop our weeping. Give us peace in Benue State, so our people, primarily farmers, can return to their farms and continue to produce food for Nigeria.”
As President Tinubu departs Benue, his strong rhetoric and promises of justice have ignited cautious optimism among residents, while the nation watches closely for decisive action to address one of Nigeria’s most enduring security crises.
