. An emotional President Tinubu holds forth hope for blood-soaked Benue.
. Queries why days after mass killings, no arrests have been made.
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday held out hope for Benue State, North Central Nigeria, which has been torn apart by horrendous bloody attacks by suspected Fulani militants.
He also questioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, why no arrests have been made so far since the gruesome attack on Yelewata in Guma local government area of the State last weekend where hundreds were murdered by bloodthirsty gunmen.
President Tinubu, who visited Benue yesterday, recalled in his extempore address how he tackled a related situation between herders and butchers as Lagos governor, stating that out of even great tragedy, prosperity can rise.
According to him, “I solved the problem of herders and butchers in Lagos. I created an economy out of it. Some groups were able to send their children abroad to study, pay school fees, and build houses from what I established.”
“ We will establish ranches and shake off the backwardness. Yes, we can. Let us recall our National Anthem again. We must hand over to our children a banner without stain. We cannot achieve our goals of food sovereignty if we continue in conflict.
“I say this again. As Nigerians, we are members of the same family living together in different rooms. Whether you are Tiv or Idoma or Yoruba or whatever, we must unite and fight our enemies together, not fight each other.”
He told Benue State Governor, Ignatius Alia, that “ the yoke is on you. This is the challenge of leadership. Go round your leaders. Ask them questions. Ask them to join you and find solutions. I solved the problem of butchers and herders in Lagos and created an economy out of it. We can turn this tragedy into economic prosperity. You can do it, and we will do it with you,” the President said.
During his visit, Tinubu specifically instructed the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, to take immediate action. He questioned the IGP on why arrests have not been made, demanding urgent action over the heinous killings in Yelewata.
“Why has no one been arrested for this crime? Inspector-General, where are the arrests? The criminals must be caught,” Tinubu said.
He urged the Department of State Services, DSS, and the National Intelligence Agency, NIA, to step up surveillance and provide intelligence to track down the attackers and bring them to justice.
The President specifically tasked the CDS to ensure closer cooperation between security forces and local communities, and advised Gov. Alia to prioritise stakeholder engagement for peace and progress in the state.
Tinubu urged the governor to set up a peace committee with ex-governors, elders, traditional rulers, and non-indigenes.
“Let’s meet again in Abuja to design a peace framework. I am willing to invest in lasting peace.
“We will find peace and transform this tragedy into prosperity,” he said.
Tinubu urged Alia to allocate land for ranching and directed the Agriculture Minister to follow up.
He called for blood donations for victims receiving treatment at Benue Teaching Hospital, which he had visited earlier on arrival at the Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi, at about 12:58 p.m.
Emphasising peace for development, Tinubu said the reason for his visit should not have been tragedy.
“(I would prefer) to come here and commission projects, not see grief.
He said human life is more valuable than cattle and stressed the need for responsible governance.
“We are elected to govern and serve—not to bury our people,” he stated.
Tinubu urged Alia to work with the Federal Government to restore peace in Benue.
“Governor Alia, you are elected to bring peace and progress — not to comfort the bereaved.
“We will work with you. You must also work with us to ensure peace,” Tinubu stated.
In response to the President, Governor Alia appealed for a Federal Government Special Intervention Fund for affected communities.
“While we mourn and rebuild, we urge the Federal Government to establish a special fund for affected areas,” he said.
According to him, the fund would help rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, and support displaced people, especially farmers.
Alia also expressed strong support for the creation of state police to tackle insecurity.
He pledged full commitment to ensuring a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Benue.
The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, praised President Tinubu for his visit and support. He insisted that the conflict is a deliberate land-grab.
“This is not herder-farmer conflict. It is a genocidal invasion and land-grab by terrorists,” he said.