End Benue Killings Now, Tinubu tasks security chiefs

By Myke Agunwa

President Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to implement his earlier directive aimed at  bringing lasting peace and security to Benue State.

Over the past few days, Benue witnessed a rise in violent attacks and most recently, an overnight massacre in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area , where at least 100 people were killed, dozens went missing, hundreds were injured, and thousands were rendered homeless.

Earlier in May, simultaneous attacks in Gwer West and Apa LGAs left about 30 people dead, with many households displaced.

Following these attacks, President Bola Tinubu ordered security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of the evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt‑Gen Olufemi Oluyede, relocated to Markudi to coordinate the activities of Operation Whirl Stroke, which was constituted to restore order in the state. He further directed troops to proactively eliminate all the bandits just as he pledged support and better welfare for soldiers on the front line.

Following the unabated killings, angry youths on Sunday in Makurdi, dressed in black and waving placards, blocked the Abuja–Makurdi highway and Wurukum roundabout, protesting over the neglect by security agencies. They demanded justice, chased away the state police commissioner, and faced tear gas as authorities tried to disperse them.

In response, President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga on Sunday, renewed his order to the security chiefs.

He equally charged the governor of Benue State, Rev. Hyacinth Alia to convene 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.

Describing the killings and bloodletting as inhuman and anti-progress, President Tinubu called on political leaders and community leaders in conflict areas to stop fuelling the crisis through unguarded utterances and statements that could further inflame tensions.

They should also rein in those who go out to cause provocations and ignite reprisal attacks.

“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,” the statement read.