President Bola Tinubu has issued a fresh order to Nigeria’s security chiefs, instructing them to enforce a previously given directive aimed at restoring peace and stability in Benue State.
The directive comes in the wake of another wave of deadly violence in the state, which left scores dead and many more injured. Tinubu also urged Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, to urgently initiate reconciliation efforts among all parties involved in the recurring conflicts.
Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, revealed this in a statement on Sunday titled “Benue Crisis: President Tinubu directs security chiefs to implement earlier directive, tasks Governor Alia on reconciliation.”
According to the statement, “On the president’s directive, intelligence chiefs, the police and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity.”
The renewed attention follows a violent attack on Yelewata village in Guma Local Government Area on Friday night, described as one of the most brutal assaults in recent years. Amnesty International and local reports suggest that over 100 people were killed, while many others sustained injuries or went missing after armed men reportedly set several houses ablaze.
The police have acknowledged the incident but have yet to release an official casualty figure. Emergency responders confirmed that many of the affected victims were displaced persons who had previously sought refuge in the village.
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As Benue authorities launch a manhunt for the assailants, concerns linger among residents about the possibility of further reprisals, especially as the rainy season, often a period of tension over land use, begins.
The statement further quoted the President as saying, “President Tinubu has equally charged the governor of Benue State with convening reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to end the incessant bloodshed and bring lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and communities.”
Condemning the repeated killings, Tinubu described the violence as both “inhuman” and “anti-progress.” He appealed to political and community leaders to refrain from making statements that could escalate tensions. He added that political actors must help rein in those who trigger reprisals.
He stated, “The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough. I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them.”
“Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings. This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue.”
“Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice.”
This call to action also aligns with remarks made by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who in May emphasized the importance of collaboration with state governors to enhance military operations and ensure that the dividends of democracy reach communities grappling with insecurity.
