Benue Massacre: Tinubu Tells Security Chiefs, “Hunt Down the Criminals”
Wafric News – June 18, 2025
Makurdi, Nigeria - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered Nigeria’s top security brass to immediately track down and arrest those behind the recent deadly attacks in Benue State, describing the violence as “unacceptable” and calling for urgent, coordinated action.
During a visit to the state capital, Makurdi, on Wednesday, President Tinubu met with political leaders, security officials, and traditional rulers following last week's attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area—an assault that left scores dead and displaced thousands.
“Police, I hope your men are listening. How come no arrest has been made yet?” Tinubu asked pointedly during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House. “We must get those criminals. No excuses.”
The president directed his comments at the country’s security heads, including Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and heads of intelligence agencies, calling for sharper coordination and actionable intelligence.
“Let’s get them out. We are not here to bury our citizens—we are here to protect them, raise families, and build a peaceful, prosperous nation,” Tinubu said.
Crisis Response: Dialogue and Blood Donations
Beyond the security crackdown, President Tinubu called for peace and reconciliation among the various communities in Benue. Referring to Nigerians as “members of the same house sleeping in different rooms,” he urged unity in the face of violence and division.
“The value of human life is greater than that of a cow,” he added, calling on state leaders and citizens to foster mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
He also asked Governor Hyacinth Alia to broadcast a public appeal for voluntary blood donations to support survivors still receiving treatment. During the visit, Tinubu stopped at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital to meet some of the wounded.
Leadership Committee and Long-Term Peacebuilding
As part of his longer-term strategy, President Tinubu proposed the formation of a “Leadership Committee” composed of past governors, traditional rulers, and key community figures. The group would convene in Abuja to develop a roadmap for lasting peace in Benue.
“I am ready to invest in that peace,” Tinubu said, pledging federal support for community healing and rehabilitation efforts.
Alia Pushes for State Police, Emergency Funding
Responding to the president’s visit, Governor Alia reiterated the need for state policing to counter localized threats and ensure more rapid response to attacks.
He also advocated for a federal intervention fund to support communities ravaged by violence. “Community policing may be complex, but it is now essential,” Alia said.
Traditional Ruler Labels Attacks ‘Genocidal’
In a powerful statement, Tor Tiv V and Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, James Ayatse, warned that the violence in the state is far more than a clash over resources.
“This is not a herder-farmer conflict. It’s not a communal clash. What we are facing is a calculated, genocidal invasion and a land-grabbing campaign by armed herders and terror groups,” he said.
Ayatse criticized repeated mischaracterizations of the crisis, warning that “wrong diagnoses lead to wrong solutions.” He urged the federal government to recognize the deeper, long-standing threats facing the state and act with urgency and clarity.
National and International Outcry
The killings have drawn condemnation from across the country and beyond. Opposition figures, including Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have called for stronger federal action. Even Pope Leo XIV issued a rare statement, describing the killings as a “terrible massacre.”
With Benue reeling from tragedy and calls for justice echoing nationwide, President Tinubu’s visit marks a turning point—but for many, it’s only the beginning of what must become a sustained, committed response to a crisis decades in the making.
By WafricNews Desk.
By WafricNews Desk.
Comment
To post a comment, you have to login first
LoginNo Comments Yet...