By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
NIGERIA’s PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has vowed to partner with Governor Hyacinth Alia to restore lasting peace in Benue State, following an escalation of violence that has left hundreds of residents dead in recent weeks.
Addressing traditional and political leaders during a town hall meeting in Makurdi on Wednesday, Tinubu stated unequivocally that Alia was elected to deliver development and security, not to preside over funerals.
His remarks came in the wake of a brutal wave of attacks allegedly carried out by armed herders, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 people in Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area.
“You are not elected to bury people, create orphans and orphanages, or sympathise with widows,” Tinubu told the governor.
“You’re elected under the progressive banner to ensure there’s peace, stability, and progress so that we can come and commission projects, rejoice with you on progress, value, and things of joy. We will work with you to achieve that peace.”
The president also cautioned against internal political divisions, warning that opposition forces are actively working against the state government’s success. “Your political enemies don’t want you to succeed,” he said. “Are you just realising that?”
During his visit, Tinubu met with survivors of the attacks at hospitals and engaged with stakeholders amid widespread outrage.
The violence, which has reportedly driven the death toll to 200, has triggered fierce criticism from the Benue diaspora, who have rejected federal calls for reconciliation and labelled the killings as terrorism, not communal conflict.
The president acknowledged the importance of public feedback and the role of critics. “No matter what I do, they will insult me,” he said. “I read the papers, and I learn from their criticism because I can’t see it all.”
Tor Tiv Decries Brutal Attacks
In a forceful intervention at the stakeholders meeting, Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, described the situation as a “calculated genocidal invasion,” rejecting the framing of the crisis as a farmer-herder conflict.
“It is not herder-farmers clashes, it is not communal clashes, it is not reprisal attacks or skirmishes,” the traditional ruler stated.
“We do have grave concerns about the misinformation and misrepresentation of the security crisis in Benue State.
“What we are dealing with here is a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits, which has been going on for decades and is worsening every year.”
He added that portraying the violence as mutual conflict only reinforces dangerous narratives that obscure the reality on the ground.
“Wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment. It is not learning to live with your neighbours; it is dealing with the war.”
President Orders Arrest of Attackers
In response, Tinubu directed security agencies to arrest those responsible and ensure justice is served, promising a new approach to ending the killings that have destabilised Benue and its neighbouring regions.
