President Bola Tinubu has ordered the country security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to Benue State following fresh attacks in the town of Yelwata that killed at least 45 people.
Tinubu’s directive comes after an early morning attack on Saturday, which government officials said was carried out by armed bandits.
“Not fewer than 45 people have been confirmed killed by armed bandits in an early Saturday morning attack on Yelwata,” a town in Benue State, said spokesman Tersoo Kula. Some local residents told AFP the death toll could be closer to 100, with many homes also destroyed.
President Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, described the killings as “very depressing”, “inhuman”, and “anti-progress”.
He said he had instructed intelligence agencies, the police, and the military to take charge of the situation and bring those responsible to justice.
“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,” Tinubu stated.
“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.”
Tinubu also called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to lead reconciliation efforts among farmers, herders, and local communities.
He urged the governor to hold peace meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to end the incessant bloodshed and bring lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and communities.
Tinubu also 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.
“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.” he added.
