By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
ON WEDNESDAY afternoon, President Bola Tinubu arrived in Makurdi to engage with Benue stakeholders following the recent deadly attacks that have left over 100 residents dead in the state’s troubled Guma Local Government Area.
He touched down at 12:58pm at the Tactical Air Command of the Nigerian Air Force Base.
Days ago, the president had redirected his initial itinerary, deferring a scheduled visit to Kaduna until Thursday.
He said he had prioritise Benue, where grief and tensions remain high after the killings in Yelewata and Daudu communities on June 14.
Also, his visit comes against the backdrop of mounting public criticism over his delayed physical response to the massacre, which many Nigerians have described as unacceptable amid the scale of human loss.
The incident, attributed to suspected herders, has reignited national debate over rural security and the government’s handling of persistent violence in the North Central region.
Tinubu is expected to meet with traditional rulers, political and religious leaders, and victims of the attacks during a town hall-style engagement aimed at fostering dialogue and seeking lasting solutions.
The presidency has stated that the visit underscores the government’s commitment to addressing insecurity and offering condolences directly to those affected.
Preparations for the presidential visit have been complicated by severe flooding that has rendered the Lafia-Makurdi road impassable.
The highway, a major transport artery connecting Benue to neighbouring states, was submerged after hours of heavy rainfall, stranding vehicles and disrupting access for the presidential advance team and other government officials.
Despite logistical setbacks, the Benue State Government declared Wednesday a public holiday to honour the president’s visit, urging residents to show solidarity as Tinubu tours affected communities.
Also, the presidential delegation’s arrival had been described as marking a crucial moment in the FG’s engagement with a state long besieged by cycles of violent clashes, particularly involving farmers and herders.
And with tensions simmering, President Tinubu’s consultation is said to be both symbolic and strategic, and one aimed at restoring confidence and charting a path forward.
