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Tag: Benue State

  • Police break silence on claims of fresh attacks in Benue

    Police break silence on claims of fresh attacks in Benue

    The Police Command in Benue has dismissed claims of any attack on Wannue Town in Tarka Local Government Area on Friday night.

    This is contained in a statement on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet.

    Social media users had earlier claimed that herdsmen attacked Wannue Town on Friday night.

    Edet described the social media reports alleging herdsmen invasion in Wannue as entirely false and misleading.

    She said no such attack occurred and urged the public to disregard the false claims being circulated online.

    “On the evening of June 21, at about 8 p.m., the police received a report that one Aondohemba Yayough was shot dead along Akume Road, Wannue.

    “A team of detectives was immediately deployed to the scene. Witnesses identified the attacker as Saater Aii, a known ex-convict.

    “Local security operatives disarmed the suspect, but he escaped. Two other persons injured at the scene were taken to hospital and are receiving treatment.

    “Police have recovered the AK-47 rifle used in the attack. Efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspect are ongoing.

    “Members of the public are urged to ignore misinformation and rely only on verified sources. No herdsmen were reported in Wannue,” Edet added.

  • Yelwata attack: Benue Govt. confirms arrest of infiltrators in IDP camp

    Yelwata attack: Benue Govt. confirms arrest of infiltrators in IDP camp

    The Benue State Government has confirmed arrest of 50 fake Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the International Market located along George Akume way in Makurdi, the state capital.

    The State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Mr Aondowase Kunde, disclosed this on Saturday in Makurdi.

    Kunde said that criminals have infiltrated the IDPs camp opened for victims of Yelwata attack.

    He said that 50 fake displaced persons had been arrested adding that people from the host community and market women have all infiltrated the camp.

    He stated that the criminals on  Friday night broke into the camp and stole some non food items while market women too have invaded the camp buying off food items distributed to them.

    “We have issues in the camp for the past two days and we discovered a lot of infiltrators in the camp.

    “We conducted investigations after the protest and discovered that criminals and people from the host community in Makurdi were behind the protest.

    “So we resolved that we have to be at the camp by 4am today (Saturday) to fish out those criminals and discovered that they stole mattresses through a collapsed fence to access the camp.

    “We discovered that some market women have started coming to the camp to buy off rice and food items distributed to displaced persons.

    “We also discovered that some women who  were claiming  to be lactating mothers went out to borrow babies from outside to be able to access the camp when they discovered that the first set of people we attended to are pregnant women and lactating mothers.

    “When these so called lactating mothers were asked to breast feed their babies, we discovered that there was no milk coming out of their breast,” the commissioner said.

  • Benue: Human sacrifice and the nameless war – By Chidi Amuta

    Benue: Human sacrifice and the nameless war – By Chidi Amuta

    The Nigerian governance road show rolled into Benue state earlier this week. The president and a motley collection of officialdom rolled into the state to see why so many innocent people are dying unnecessary deaths in the hands of nameless killers.

    As it turns out, the president and his significant lieutenants had to be pressured to go and see the carnage in Benue for themselves. By the time they woke up to go there, over 200 innocent Nigerians had been butchered in repeated waves of mass slaughter.

    The political opposition had wondered aloud as to why Mr. Tinubu would go everywhere else other than the forests of Benue where the killing of innocent people in their homes had degenerated into a gruesome sport that was claiming hundreds of innocent lives.

    People would go to bed and never wake up alive. Those who ventured to their farms hardly came back alive. Some who escorted their livestock to the grazing fields lost both livestock and their own lives. Vengeful reprisals had become a daily feature of life. Herders of cattle would be lucky to survive a trek through the trail of bloody forests.

    As is typical in a presidential system, Tinubu’s visit was long overdue. An unstated rule of the system is that the president goes to meet the people where they are in pain. Empathy breeds bonding which yields political capital. The Tinubu visit to Benue was dual in purpose. It would get the president to the root of the executive pitfalls that led to the degeneration of order in Benue.

    On the more substantive note, it would re-establish the sovereign authority of the Nigerian state by stamping a footprint of force and coercion on those still defying the authority of the federal state. As it were, something bigger and stronger than mere local and state governments was coming to town. Tinubu was coming to Benue with the full weight of Nigeria’s compassionate and coercive heft.

    What the public imagination expected was the president as a leader of war coming out to douse the bloodshed with a bigger show of force than the miscreants and killers were used to. We expected to see the commander- in- chief in combat gear, arriving the theatres of trouble aboard a helicopter, accompanied by helicopter gunships and surrounded by his force commanders and field operatives.

    Tinubu was not going to the killing fields of Benue as a ‘nice man’ or community friend. He was going there to stamp the authority of a commander in chief on an errant,  part of his sovereign territory to hand down a note of warning that unmistakably says to trouble makers” NEVER AGAIN!

    While the preparations for the presidential trip were on, the public began to notice some unusual trends. The Benue state government began to take out full page welcome advertisements indicating that Mr. Tinubu was going to Benue on a meet and greet state visit. The usual charade and comedy of Nigerian statehood crawled out.

    Communities, dance troupes, mobilization of youth groups and other familiar Nigerian fawning were being readied to give the president a befitting welcome. Confusion. Were we going to see an end to the festival of human sacrifice and endless blood letting or yet another comedy of state festivity and governance as a joke?

    To worsen the matter, the size of the presidential entourage kept ballooning.  From  all the reports, at first, it was going to be the president and a few aides on a whistle stop field trip. Then the Inspector Genenal of Police was relocating as an advance party to stabilize the situation, preparatory to the presidential arrival. await the arrival of the president. The Chief of Army Staff was doing the same thing, Then a flotilla of ministers, Senators, the NSA and plane loads of sundry minions were all in the sagging boat.

    Well, the trip has come and gone with its busload of comedy and tragedy, The president reportedly could not get to the communities worst affected. The road to the place is impassable! Speeches were read by community leaders and government officials. The President was at his predictable platitudinous best. He called on the people of Benue to cooperate with their Governor to bring peace to the state. He also urged the people to live in peace with one another. Business as usual. Dances and claps!

    The media was all over the place waiting for the usual ‘handout’ press statements. Both army and police advance parties did not showcase any bandits arrested. Worst of all, the president did not come close to the victims let alone empathizing on camera with those worst affected. The rest of the nation at home was lost for words. What was this all about? That is the giant question mark on most lips. Tinubu carries the dance steps of his repid presidency wherever he goes.

    Prior to this visit, repeated appeals to security agencies and those in authority had fallen on deaf ears. Politicians traded in the festival  of death as they recruited and owned their own gangs of killers. Ethnic bigots and religious zealots took turns in aligning with partisans and gangs of killers. A state now ruled by an elected  clergyman had become neither Christian nor Muslim as armed marauders openly wielded weapons of war  in search of easy victims.

    Everyone became a victim. Fear ruled the land.  The open question was now whether the mascot of democracy and political competition had become a blood thirsty ogre. Did democracy in Benue now need human sacrifice to thrive? Had it degenerated into a blood thirsty dragon perennially on the prowl for victims. Tinubu hurried off to Kaduna state without finding answers to these troubling questions.

    As it were, the institutions of state dedicated to maintaining peace and orderly mutual existence had turned out helpless and incapable of maintaining an order and peace that had never been there in the first place. The police was useless as it was quickly outgunned by rival bands of bandits and roving gun men. And the military? Its involvement in civil security operations had become an open question mark all over the country. In Benue and parts of Plateau and Nasarawa states, the military had become an over dressed joke and money guzzling machine of bloody but undeclared wars.

    The quickest and easiest explanation was to see a herdsmen versus settler farmers confrontation as the root of the crisis. That lazy explanation has lingered over the years. But the herders are not new to the Benue communities that were now being attacked by armed militants. Nor did the Benue local communities start being settled farmers just yesterday. Both modes of economic existence had historically co- existed and earned their keeps mutually over the many years past. Though friction between both groups had occasionally occurred. It never degenerated into this free for all bloody festival  of frequent killings.

    The Benue tragedy and the attitude of officialdom to it reveals so much about the lingering insecurity that has held Nigeria hostage for over a decade. First, the fight against insecurity has become part of the ritual of state. No speech is complete if it does not accord insecurity a pride of place. Politicians are not complete in their appearance if they do not weaponize insecurity as a cardinal political crisis and a reason for them to be re-elected.

    People need to be killed to remind us that there is insecurity in the land and to justify a new round of political shenanigans. Our democracy now needs constant blood letting to appease the gods of re-election. Democracy in Nigeria now needs human sacrifice to thrive. Those who two years ago trooped out to vote for these politicians provide the canon fodder for the feasts of human sacrifice.

    As if that is not enough, the mercantile part of the insecurity is everywhere on display. These industrial killings now necessitate additional defense and security spending, new weapons, new air platforms, flashy new aircraft and drones of untested capacity manned by ignorant and illiterate soildiers – all  to contain an insurgency of untrained civilians and bandits who are mostly hungry.

    Those who listened carefully during the Tinubu stopover may have heard something that I think was disturbing. Many political voices insisted that the new scale of killings in Benue small of ethnic cleansing and genocide. That language is clearly frightening in Nigeria. It is even worse so in a location that is the binding belt of our fractious federation.

    It raises questions about our recent political past. Who armed the herders? What is the source of the sophisticated weapons of war with which these Janjaweed -style killings are being executed? When did the herders acquire this lethal capacity? Which politician brought in and armed these herder gunmen and for what end? Since when?

    Most importantly, what is the nationality of these gunmen and killers? If indeed they are from outside Nigeria, at what point do we identify their nation of origin? If the killers are non-Nigerians, when will our security authorities switch our insecurity from internal insurgency to an international confrontation between Nigeria and the nation(s) that are the source of these killers?

    When are we going to call this war its rightful name in order to wage and end it?

  • We will go after Benue killers – COAS reassures

    We will go after Benue killers – COAS reassures

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, says the Nigerian Army will  bring to justice the perpetrators of the recent killings in Benue, Plateau and other parts of the country.

    Oluyede made this known on Saturday in Akure during a second quarter 2025 media chat organised by the Department of Civil-Military Affairs, Nigerian Army Headquarters.

    The media chat was themed “Military – Media Collaboration: Panacea for Enhanced National Security and Development”.

    The COAS, represented by Maj. Gen. Obinna Onubogu, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Div., Nigerian Army, Ibadan, said the military was fully committed to ending the spate of violence, particularly in North-Central Nigeria.

    Oluyede, who said that the president had given very clear orders, explained that they would remain engaged in Plateau, Benue, Kwara and quite a number of states that were experiencing insecurity.

    “We are out, fully deployed and tackling the menace head-on. In Benue particularly, you will see in the coming weeks, very elaborate security arrangements to ensure that all that is going on there completely stops.

    “Communities and local stakeholders should support military operations by sharing timely intelligence:

    “The Army cannot be everywhere at once. Nigeria is a vast country but we are not as large in number as many people believe.

    “We rely heavily on the support and cooperation of the local population to provide timely and credible information.

    “In some cases, unfortunately, the people are not very helpful in terms of the information they give out, which delays our reaction time. That must change if we are to win this fight together,” he said.

    The COAS called on media personnel to verify facts before publication, and help in building national security and development to combat misinformation and sensational reporting,

    According to him, the social media space, especially, is flooded with misinformation, disinformation and outright lies.

    “So, we are appealing to the media practitioners to reach out to us before putting out unverified stories.

    “We are satisfied with the support we’ve received from the media so far and we hope to deepen that synergy to ensure national security is not undermined by sensational reporting,” he said.

  • Benue killings: NYSC evacuates corps members

    Benue killings: NYSC evacuates corps members

    Mrs Veronica Garba, the Benue State Coordinator of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), said that corps members in crisis areas have been evacuated into family houses in Makurdi.

    Mrs Garba, who made this known in an interview on Thursday in Wannune, Tarka Local Government Area of Benue, said as soon as they heard about the crisis, the management communicated with the police who evacuated the corps members from both Yelewata and Daudu areas.

    Garba said the corps members were instantly settled at their family houses including offices of the Nigeria Corpers Christian Fellowship (NCCF), National Association of Catholic Corps Members (NACCM) and Muslim Corpers Association of Nigeria (MCAN ).

    “We do not joke with the safety of our corps members because we take them as our children so as soon as we heard about the crisis, we contacted the Commissioner of Police who detailed his officers to help us evacuate our corps members.

    “We then did our head count and none was missing so we arranged with the heads of all the family houses and got them settled in Makurdi for now pending when the situation will improve”, she said in the interview with NAN.

    She urged parents to be calm, saying that their children were safe. The coordinator also assured parents that with the relocation of  security chiefs to Benue, the situation would improve.

    “I am sure that the parents of our corps members have heard that all the security chiefs have moved to Benue so they have no reason to fear. Above all, God who is the safest security is everywhere; He is with your children too”, Garba said.

    This is following President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Makurdi on Wednesday where he held meetings with stakeholders and directed security agencies to ensure adequate security in affected communities and arrest suspects involved the attacks that claimed many lives.

  • Benue killings: PGF backs Tinubu’s stance on security

    Benue killings: PGF backs Tinubu’s stance on security

    The Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) has declared its full support for President Bola Tinubu’s response to the recent killings in Benue.

    Chairman of the PGF and Gov. of Imo, Hope Uzodimma made this known to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, after a meeting with some progressive governors.

    He said that the Forum stood united with the President in his resolve to end violent attacks and hold the perpetrators accountable.

    President Tinubu had earlier on Wednesday, visited Benue to condole with Gov. Hyacinth Alia over the killings in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of the state.

    He said: “The Progressives Governors Forum is fully in support of President Tinubu’s position on the Benue killings”.

    “We were in Benue state, first, to show solidarity to our colleague, the Governor of Benue state.

    “To condole with him for that unfortunate incident and also, encourage Mr President in his efforts to address this situation in Benue state which continues to repeat itself.

    “We are satisfied with the position of Mr President on his planned action to stop further killings and violence, not only in Benue state, but almost in every part of the country.

    “Arising from that, we just rose from a meeting where we also discussed the state of the nation and the need for the sub-national governments to take security up to the rural communities.

    “Henceforth, we must do everything, whatever it will take, to protect lives and property in Nigeria which is the primary essence of government”.

    The governor also commended the President for all the strides and achievements he had recorded in two years.

    “We are satisfied by the way he is going and in the very nearest future, Nigeria will come out of this and prosperity will become the order of the day.

    “So we encourage all of us Nigerians and condole the families of those involved in the unfortunate incidents in the state and other parts of the country.

    “And we are showing our people who voted us to power that we have buckled up and we have braced up.

    “We are ensuring to provide to the security agencies everything that they require to ensure that every space, the governed and the ungoverned is adequately protected”.

    On what is the Forum’s recommendation to the President, Uzodimma said “If you listened well to the President, he even recommended that he is willing to support Benue State to establish a ranch.

    “I think what that goes to show is that to encourage harmonious relationships between herders and farmers so there will be a win-win situation.

    “It is not meant to impute any motive or theory that will not encourage the unity of this country.

    “We appreciate and commend the President for his speech and the position he has taken and the governor in his speech also recommended state police.

    “There is no difference between state police and community police. So it is decentralising security.

    “There will be a technical committee that will look at all the issues and put together a working paper for the governors going forward,” he said.

  • Killings: Tinubu queries IGP as mixed reactions trail his visit to Benue

    Killings: Tinubu queries IGP as mixed reactions trail his visit to Benue

    The visit of President Bola Tinubu to Benue State on Wednesday was greeted with mixed reactions among politicians, civil servants, and business people.

    Tinubu’s visit followed the recent attack on Yelwata community, Guma local Government Area (LGA) of the state, where more than 200 persons were killed by the invaders.

    While some people hailed his presence as timely, others saw it as a political strategy by the All ProgressivesCongress (APC), the ruling party.

    Mr Godwin Chia, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in Kwande LGA, stated that the president’s visit was to mourn with the grieving families and the state, regrettably, the APC mobilised its supporters across the state to be in attendance like it was a political rally.

    Chia expressed displeasure that pro-government groups were also mobilised to welcome the president with dances and banners.

    According to him, even when Gov. Hyacinth Alia declared a public holiday because of Tinubu’s visit, pupils and students of public schools were compelled to come out under the rain to welcome the president.

    A Civil Servant, Mr John Bunde, said that though the president’s intention was genuine, the actions of APC made the visit look like a political gathering.

    “Personally, I deeply appreciate the president’s visit to our state. It is a clear demonstration and show of love for his subjects that have been passing through agony for decades.

    “For him to postpone his visit to Kaduna State alone speaks volumes, and I appreciate him for that too,” Bunde said.

    Mr Wilfred Anongo, a businessman, said that he prayed the president’s visit would yield positive results for the state so that peace would finally be restored to all the areas under siege.

    Anongo, therefore, appealed to the president to ensure that his visit translated to urgent action.

    Another businessman, Mr Iorpuu Dwem, said that it was good that Tinubu visited the state and expressed hope that it would bring about the desired peace.

    Tinubu queries IGP, orders arrests over Benue killings

    Meanwhile, President Tinubu has ordered security chiefs to immediately arrest those behind the killing of over 100 people in Yelewata community in Benue.

    Tinubu issued the directive on Wednesday while addressing stakeholders at the Government House, Makurdi.

    A statement by the President’s spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said the meeting involved the SGF, George Akume, traditional rulers, and former Benue governors.

    Governors of Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa states were also present at the meeting in Makurdi.

    Tinubu specifically instructed the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, 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 DSS and NIA to step up surveillance and provide intelligence to help track the attackers.

    The President also asked the CDS to ensure closer cooperation between security forces and local communities.

    He advised Gov. Hyacinth Alia to prioritise stakeholder engagement for peace and progress in the state.

    Tinubu asked Alia 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 the governor 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.

    Emphasising peace for development, Tinubu said the reason for his visit should not have been tragic.

    “I wanted to commission projects, not see grief. But peace is crucial for development,” he noted.

    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 Governor 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.

    He acknowledged political opposition but reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and prosperity for all Nigerians.

    “They may hate me. But I’m still here, your President — committed to protecting all citizens,” he said.

    In response, 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,” Alia said.

    He said 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.

    Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse, also praised President Tinubu for his visit and support.

    The traditional ruler warned against misinformation, saying the conflict is rooted in deliberate land-grabbing campaigns.

    “This is not herder-farmer conflict. It is a genocidal invasion and land-grabbing by terrorists,” the Tor Tiv said.

    Meanwhile, President Tinubu has returned to Abuja following his trip to Benue. He was received by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, Imo State Governor Hope Odidika Uzodinma, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and SSA on Political, Matters Ibrahim Kabir Masari.

  • Killings: What Tinubu said, did during his visit to Benue

    Killings: What Tinubu said, did during his visit to Benue

    President Bola Tinubu has said that his administration would not allow enemies of peace to prevail in the country.

    Tinubu stated this on Wednesday in Makurdi, during his visit to Benue, to commiserate with the people over the recent attacks on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    Recall more than 200 people were killed, scores injured and houses and properties destroyed in the June 13 attack on Yelwata.

    The President said that he was committed to investing in peace in Benue and across Nigeria.

    He emphasised the need for unity, sincere leadership, and actionable peace strategies to defeat the enemies.

    “We must listen to our people, keep our ears to the ground, and respond with tangible intelligence to prevent future attacks.

    “We will not allow the enemies of peace to prevail. I want you to know that you have my full support, and together, we will bring prosperity back to Benue.

    “As leaders, we must carry the people in our hearts. Only then can we deliver programmes that change lives and secure futures,” he said.

    He charged Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue, to work hard and restore peace in the state.

    “All politics is local; not everyone will like you. Some did the same to me too, but I am the President.

    “The yolk is on you. That is part of the responsibilities of leadership. Your political enemies don’t want you to succeed.

    “My people of Benue, please work with your governor to achieve peace. The governor needs your help; encourage him, and let’s build peace,” he urged.

    He tasked security agencies to always listen to the people and keep their ears on the ground to get tangible information to prevent future occurrences.

    Tinubu to constitute peace committee to end killings in Benue

    Meanwhile, President Tinubu has directed that a peace resolution committee be constituted to end the ongoing killings in Benue and its environs.

    Tinubu gave the directive at a Town Hall meeting with Benue stakeholders, as part of his efforts to address the incessant attacks, killings, and displacements of communities in the state.

    The President directed governments of Benue and  Nasarawa to constitute the committee to find lasting solutions to the crisis.

    He listed the Tor Tiv, Prof James Ayatse, Och’Idoma Elaigwu Odogbo,.Gen Atom Kpera (rtd) all former governors, elder statesmen, amongst others, to be members of the committee.

    He pledged commitment to
    invest in the peace project to ensure lasting peace in the state.

    According to Tinubu, Benue people have no option than to find lasting peace and convert the tragedy into a strong economic prosperity.

    “I am committed to investing in peace here in Benue and across Nigeria. Let us create a peace and development committee now, with representation from all stakeholders, including government, traditional leaders, youths, and women.

    “Let us meet and design a lasting solution. I’m ready to invest in this peace project. Whatever happens, we will find peace and convert this tragedy into economic prosperity.

    “We are to govern, not to bury. We are here to multiply, not to lose numbers,” he said.

    The President sympathised with Benue people, especially the people of Yelewata, over the attacks and emphasised the need for unity, sincere leadership, and actionable peace strategies.

    “We are here not just to mourn but to reflect deeply with you. What affects Benue affects all of us. As Nigerians, we are members of the same family, perhaps sleeping in different rooms, but living under the same roof.

    “Whether you are Tiv, Idoma, Hausa, Yoruba, or Igbo, this country is our shared heritage. We must build it together. We must find solutions, not just talk about the problems.

    “Let us stop seeing one another as enemies. We must stop opening doors to terror and violence. We must embrace peace with serious understanding.

    “This level of terrorism and conflict must not continue. We need synergy between leaders, traditional rulers, and the youths. It is only when the people feel secured and valued that development can truly take roots,” the president said.

    Tinubu’s visit: Benue Govt. reiterates call for state police

    Similarly, the Benue State Government reiterated its stance on the establishment of state police as a sustainable solution to the persistent insecurity in the state.

    Gov. Hyacinth Alia stated this on Wednesday at the town hall meeting with President Bola Tinubu, who is in the state to commiserate with the people of Benue over the recent attack on a community.

    Alia noted that though there were concerns about the implementation, the Federal Government could spell out guidelines and regulatory frameworks to prevent its misuse.

    “We humbly urge the Federal Government to consider establishing a special intervention fund for communities affected by the incessant attacks.

    “Such funds would go a long way to support the rehabilitation of those displaced from their ancestral homes.

    “These funds can also restore the livelihood of the farmers and their families as government would keep working to ensure that the people are not only safe, but can thrive on their land.

    “We want to thank the security agencies in Benue for their efforts, but we solicit for more security measures to be taken to confront the challenges at hand as the attacks on the peace loving people of Benue have persisted for a decade.

    “It, however, looks like a calculated attempt to annihilate the people of Benue and take over their ancestral homes,” Alia said.

    The governor said that the visit of service chiefs and other security formations had given the people a ray of hope that there could be lasting peace and they would not be subjected to further inhumane actions.

    “We want to thank Mr. President for taking time out to come and mourn with the people of Benue as we believe this would bring an end to the security challenges that have persisted.

    “Even though our hearts are heavy over the loss of our loved ones and ancestral homes, our hope is ignited by your visit.

    “We thank Mr President for cancelling other engagements of concern to visit the people of Benue after the Yelwata attack as this is a true demonstration of leadership,” he said

    The governor prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives during the attack and expressed hope for a better Benue.

  • Benue killings: MACBAN reacts as Tinubu visits

    Benue killings: MACBAN reacts as Tinubu visits

    President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday went on a one-day visit to Benue State and upon arrival, met with survivors of the Yelewata Town attack who are receiving medical treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

    He, thereafter, held a town hall meeting with Benue stakeholders as part of efforts to bring to an end the ongoing senseless attacks, killings, and displacement of citizens.

    MACBAN lauds Tinubu’s peace efforts in Benue

    Meanwhile, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has commended President Bola Tinubu for his intervention and timely visit to Benue State.

    The National President of MACBAN, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, gave the commendation in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Othman-Ngelzarma also lauded the Federal Government and security agencies for their prompt actions to restore normalcy in the affected areas.

    “We wish to thank President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his intervention and timely visit to Benue.

    “We also thank Mr. President for having the courage to urge political and traditional leaders in Benue State to seek peaceful coexistence among themselves.

    “We hope that this visit will help restore the much-needed peace to Benue State and the nation at large,” he said.

    He expressed condolences to the Federal Government, the Government and people of Benue State, and all Nigerians over the senseless loss of lives and destruction of property in the state.

    “As the umbrella organisation of Fulani cattle breeders and herders in Nigeria, MACBAN remains committed to the peaceful and harmonious coexistence of Nigeria’s more than 300 ethnic groups.

    “As major stakeholders in the Nigerian project and one of the biggest contributors to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, it is in our best interest to promote peace with other Nigerians,” he stated.

    Othman-Ngelzarma emphasised the need for political, traditional, religious, and community leaders in the state to commit to promoting peaceful coexistence between agrarian and livestock-rearing communities.

    He also urged leaders to stop pushing divisive narratives that undermine peace and unity.

  • What FG needs to end senseless killings in Nigeria – Pastor Enenche

    What FG needs to end senseless killings in Nigeria – Pastor Enenche

    Pastor Paul Enenche, Senior Pastor, Dunamis International Gospel Center (DIGC) Worldwide, has said Nigeria needs strong political will to end senseless killings across the country.

    Enenche told newsmen on Wednesday at Yelewata Town, Guma Local Government Area of  Benue State that there was no single justification for the killings which claimed scores of lives on June 14.

    He said that the country needed a strong political will to end the ongoing senseless killings across the country, especially the Yelewata Town attack.

    He said that the solution to the killings lies with the country’s leadership, adding that government at all levels must develop a strong political will to end it.

    “The solution to this type of issue is the will in the heart of the leadership of our nation, both at the federal and state levels.

    “Leadership that has the will to do the right thing; that has the heart of the people, should put anything political aside and look at realities on the ground.

    “And to value human lives above every other consideration and do what is right, in the interest of the people, in the interest of their consciences and in fact, that one day everybody will stand before God to give account of their lives to God,” he said

    He said that the people would continue to trust God for the nation’s leadership to demonstrate compassion for her citizens.

    He said that he was in the state to sympathize with his people, especially those in Yelewata Town, who were attacked and killed in their deep sleep.

    “We are on a mission to Benue in the wake of the very horrific and almost like a genocidal pogrom in the land that resulted in the death and burning of so many people alive.

    “We came on a condolence visit to the land, we came on a solidarity visit; to stand with our people and to let them know that light will never bow for darkness and darkness will never triumph over light.

    “What kind of nation is this? Where there is almost zero heart for the feelings and aspirations of the people.

    “Secondly, it is also for the people to wake up and rise up and to say: enough is enough, we will take our destiny in our hands; wherever possible. I believe that those two things will work together to bring solution,” he said.

    To the grieving families, he said, “It is so heart breaking, only God knows your pains. Nobody can say: I understand, nobody understands, only God understands and the God who understands will comfort you, will console you, will give us solace and continue to give us answers to this situation.”

    Enenche also donated relief materials to the victims of the Yelwata attacks, among such items are mattresses, rice and noodles.