President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to visit Benue State on Wednesday in response to a wave of brutal killings that claimed over 147 lives. The violence, blamed on armed terrorists and foreign militias, has thrown communities into mourning and sparked urgent calls for federal intervention.
Addressing the crisis, Tinubu said: “I sympathise with those who have lost their lives. I have spoken to the governor, the leadership and the people of Benue, to accept our condolences and try very consciously to maintain peace and harmony among themselves.”
In the wake of the attacks, the President cancelled his scheduled trip to Kaduna to meet directly with Benue leaders, including traditional rulers, religious groups, youth leaders, and civil society organisations, in a town hall aimed at creating grassroots solutions to the violence.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, who confirmed the death toll, welcomed the President’s visit as a “soothing balm” for the victims.
“This visit will restore hope to our people, especially those displaced and traumatised,” Alia said, adding that the attackers were “heavily armed foreign militants who don’t speak any Nigerian language and operate without cattle.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has deployed more personnel to reinforce security efforts. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, assured the public that the military would “leave no stone unturned” in eliminating the attackers.
“There are insiders giving them information,” he said. “But we’re changing strategies, and we will get them.”
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, also decried the violence as “a deep wound to the soul of our nation,” urging unity across ethnic and political lines:
“These killings are economically driven, not religious. We must act decisively to protect our people.”
Reacting to the planned presidential visit, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, applauded the move but urged similar attention to Niger State, where recent flooding reportedly killed over 200 people.
“These are not just statistics; they are lives torn apart,” Obi posted on X. “If the South African President could travel over 1,800km to visit fewer victims, our President can surely do the same for his people.”
Oni emphasised that urgent, compassionate action, beyond symbolic visits, would reassure grieving communities:
“Let your visit send a strong message that all Nigerian lives matter, and no community is forgotten.”
