Tinubu unveils Benue peace committee, orders immediate arrest of Yelwata attackers

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday revealed plans to set up a peace committee to address the persistent violence in Benue State, following a deadly assault on the Yelwata community that reportedly left over 200 people dead.

During a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House Banquet Hall in Makurdi, the President said the committee would consist of respected traditional leaders, including the Tor Tiv, James Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, alongside other prominent figures.

“I will want us to create this leadership committee now and then we meet in Abuja to really fashion out the nucleus for a lasting peace, and I’m ready to invest in that peace,” Tinubu said at the meeting.

“And I want the traditional rulers, Tor Tiv and Ochidoma to be included in this peace committee. I think by now you will be bored of hearing my voice, but I give you the assurance, we will find peace, we will convert this tragedy to prosperity.”

Before the meeting, Tinubu visited victims of the Yelwata killings at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, where he expressed dismay over the soaring casualty numbers and the absence of arrests. He called on security agencies to act without delay.

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“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals.

“Christopher (the Chief of Defence Staff), you have given much. I watch your comments, you can’t be tired of staying in the bush. Oloyede and the Air Marshal, we thank all of you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground, let’s get those criminals, let’s get them out. DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels, and let’s have tangible intelligence so that this will not occur again,” he said.

The President also used the opportunity to appeal for national unity, stressing the need to focus on defeating common threats rather than being divided by internal conflict.

In attendance were Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, several governors from the North-Central region, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, service chiefs, and other key political and traditional leaders.