President Tinubu Visits Benue over Massacre
“They may oppose me politically, they may not like me, but I remain your President, committed to protecting every Nigerian,” he said. Makurdi, Nigeria – June 18, 2025. (ONN)….
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed outrage over the lack of arrests following the massacre of more than 100 people in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, demanding urgent accountability from the nation’s top security officials.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Benue Government House in Makurdi on Wednesday, Tinubu directly confronted the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the slow response to the killings.
“Why has no one been arrested for this crime? Inspector-General, where are the arrests? The criminals must be caught,” the President asked pointedly, his voice echoing the frustrations of the grieving communities.
The meeting brought together key government and security leaders, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, traditional rulers, and governors from Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa states. Also present were former Benue governors and senior intelligence officers.
Tinubu ordered the immediate mobilization of police and military resources to track, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible. He tasked the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) with strengthening surveillance and intelligence gathering to support the operations.
“We cannot allow this tragedy to go unanswered. The lives lost here are Nigerian lives, we must bring justice to their families,” Tinubu said.
During his visit, the President toured the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, where survivors of the attack are receiving treatment. He urged Nigerians to donate blood and called on health authorities to provide the necessary medical support.
“I came here hoping to commission developmental projects, not to mourn the dead. Peace is the foundation of progress. We are elected to govern and protect, not to bury our people,” he added.
In a bid to promote long-term peace, Tinubu instructed Governor Hyacinth Alia to establish a broad-based peace committee composed of former governors, traditional rulers, elders, youth leaders, and representatives of non-indigenous communities.
“Let’s meet again in Abuja to craft a workable peace framework. I am ready to invest in lasting solutions for Benue,” Tinubu said.
The President also emphasized the need for land allocation for ranching as part of broader agricultural reforms aimed at preventing violent clashes between herders and farmers. He directed the Minister of Agriculture to coordinate with the state government on implementation.
Responding to the President’s address, Governor Alia appealed for a Federal Government Special Intervention Fund to rebuild affected communities, restore livelihoods, and support displaced persons, particularly farmers who have fled their homes.
“Benue is bleeding, but we are resilient. With federal support, we can rebuild and heal,” Alia stated.
Alia also echoed growing national calls for the creation of state police to allow for more localized and responsive security measures.
Traditional leader Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, praised Tinubu for his personal visit and strong response, but urged clarity in national narratives.
“This is not a farmer-herder conflict. It is a calculated and sustained genocidal invasion by terrorists disguised as herders,” Ayatse said.
President Tinubu concluded by reaffirming his dedication to peace, national unity, and the protection of all citizens, regardless of politics, ethnicity, or religion.
“They may oppose me politically, they may not like me, but I remain your President, committed to protecting every Nigerian,” he said.
The Yelewata massacre has reignited national concern over escalating rural violence and the urgent need for structural reforms in Nigeria’s security architecture
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