President Bola Tinubu will today meet with key leaders and community members in Benue State to address the recent violence that has taken many lives and caused widespread destruction.
The meeting comes after a deadly attack in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 people, including women and children, were killed in a few hours last Friday night. Reports say attackers used advanced weapons and set homes on fire using fuel.
The Benue State House of Assembly expressed strong disappointment on Tuesday, saying Governor Hyacinth Alia, his deputy Sam Ode, and the entire 32-member legislature have failed the people.
Meanwhile, the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) urged President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Benue due to the worsening security crisis.
The African Democratic Party and New Nigeria Peoples Party criticized the President for putting politics above the safety of Nigerians and called for urgent reforms in the nation’s security system to better protect citizens. The United Nations also condemned the attacks and demanded a full investigation.
Governor Alia, speaking through the state Commissioner for Information, Mathew Abo, said his government supports security agencies and has not neglected its responsibility to protect the people.
He noted, “He has also tried his best to provide logistics to security operatives in the state, so he has not failed, and you don’t expect him to carry guns and go to the bush.”
Security chiefs, including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, visited Makurdi and Yelewata on Monday to lead joint operations against the attackers.
In preparation for the President’s visit, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, called a consultative meeting with various stakeholders, including retired generals and political leaders.
On Tuesday, the Benue State House of Assembly held a heated debate, where members openly admitted that the governor, his deputy, and lawmakers have all failed to protect their people.
Peter Uche, representing Guma State Constituency, led the discussion, describing the recent violence as genocide and stating, “The governor has failed, the deputy governor has failed, and the 32 of us have failed.”
The lawmakers called for full enforcement of the state’s anti-open grazing law and requested the state government to observe three days of mourning for the victims.
They also urged the Governor to mobilize local security groups to support formal security forces and asked President Tinubu to personally visit the state to show solidarity.
Ahead of the President’s arrival, repairs were made to major roads, and the state capital saw an influx of security personnel and government officials. Political parties remained divided on how to respond.
While the PDP and CUPP called for a state of emergency, Benue’s PDP and the All Progressive Congress caretaker committee opposed it, arguing for more security deployment instead.
The Chief of Defence Staff has directed military commanders to increase efforts to protect citizens and work closely with communities. During his visit, General Musa emphasized, “We must all agree that this must stop,” urging cooperation between security forces and locals.
The United Nations, through spokesperson Farhan Haq, condemned the violence, stating, “The Secretary-General condemns the killing of innocent civilians… and we hope that those responsible for this violence will be found and apprehended.”
