Again, President Tinubu gives marching orders to secure Benue
Pope Leo XIV, yesterday condemned the brutal killing of “around 200 people” in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria, on the night of the 13th/14th June, “most of them internally displaced persons sheltered by the local Catholic mission”.
Speaking just before delivering the Sunday Angelus prayer, the Pope prayed for “security, justice, and peace” in Nigeria, adding that he was thinking in particular of the “rural Christian communities of Benue State who have been relentless victims of violence”.
Responding to the attack, Amnesty International Nigeria had on Saturday called on Nigerian authorities to “immediately end the almost daily bloodshed in Benue State and bring the actual perpetrators to justice”.
Worried by the incessant killings and destruction of properties in Benue and other states in the North Central geopolitical zone of the country, President Bola Tinubu, yesterday directed security chiefs to ensure the implementation of his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to Benue State.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said this in a statement.
But Governor Hyacinth Alia would only confirm the killing of 59 persons at Yelewata, on Saturday, where unidentified gunmen attacked the border town.
Addressing journalists at the Government House in Makurdi, Alia said the figures were based on physical head counts by security agencies working with families of those killed.
Among those killed were military and civil defence personnel who fought to defend Yelewata against the attacks.
“On the President’s directive, intelligence chiefs, police, and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity,” the President’s spokesman said.
Tinubu equally charged the governor to convene reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to bring lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and communities.
Describing the killings and bloodletting as inhuman and anti-progress, 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.
“The latest news of wanton killings in Benue 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,” said the President.
He stated that 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 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,” Tinubu said.
Meanwhile, a group, Zone “A” Peoples’ Assembly (ZAPA), has urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to declare a state of emergency on security to address security challenges in the state.
Its president, Fanen Mondo, made the call at a press conference on Sunday in Makurdi.
Mondo blamed the attacks, killings, and displacement on armed herders and said some of them were mostly foreign “mercenaries.”
Mondo urged the governor to declare a state of emergency on security in Benue and personally lead the response.
He said the governor should publicly and firmly engage the Federal Government over the happenings.
“In the past few months, we have witnessed a return of brutal, coordinated attacks on our people in communities such as Chito in Ukum, Tor Donga in Katsina-Ala, Turan in Kwande, Aôndoana in Gwer West, Yelwata in Guma, Apa, and Agatu.
“What links all these areas is not just blood and destruction; it is silence. Silence from those in positions of power who should act. Silence from those who should speak,” he said.
Mondo also accused politicians in the state of failing to speak out on the issue, adding that they have rather chosen to politicise the crisis.
“This silence is not neutrality; it is complicity. And the people of Benue see it for what it is.
“We urge him to rise to the occasion. Benue does not need a silent governor; we need a field commander, ready to defend our ancestral land,” he said.
He further urged President Bola Tinubu to stand by Benue people in their time of need as they stood by him during the last election.
Mondo also urged the FG to deploy immediate and decisive military action to end the killings and provide emergency humanitarian support to affected communities.