President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, to console the people following the horrific massacre in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area, which claimed over 200 lives and displaced thousands.
The visit, marked by a town hall meeting at the Government House in Makurdi and a hospital visit to survivors, underscored the President’s commitment to addressing the escalating violence in the North-Central state.
During his engagements with stakeholders, including traditional rulers, former governors, and security chiefs, Tinubu outlined a multi-pronged approach to restore peace, pursue justice, and foster economic opportunities in Benue. His speech resonated with calls for unity, accountability, and transformative action.
Key Highlights of President Tinubu’s Speech
Demand for Justice and Security Accountability
President Tinubu expressed deep frustration over the absence of arrests following the Yelwata massacre, directly challenging Nigeria’s security apparatus to act decisively.
He specifically addressed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, stating, “How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelwata? Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately to deter others.”
He further instructed the Directors-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to overhaul their intelligence-gathering mechanisms,
“DG NIA and DG SSS, retool your information channels and let’s have tangible intelligence so that this will not occur again. We need to keep our ears to the ground and get those criminals out.”
Tinubu emphasized that failure to apprehend the perpetrators, suspected to be herder-terrorists, undermines public trust and perpetuates violence.
Establishment of a Benue Peace Committee
To address the root causes of the recurring violence, Tinubu proposed the creation of a Benue Elders’ Peace Committee, comprising former governors, traditional rulers like the Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma, federal officials, and non-indigenous representatives, including the former governor of Nasarawa State.
He envisioned this committee as a platform for dialogue and reconciliation,
and urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to lead the initiative
“Let us please find a way to form a committee of elders here to really find a permanent outcome to this. The committee will meet in Abuja, and I’m ready to invest in that peace.”
“Whatever we need to do, I want us to create this leadership committee now, and then we will meet in Abuja to fashion out the nucleus of a lasting peace.”
Tinubu stressed that the committee would report directly to the presidency, ensuring federal oversight and support for its recommendations.
Ranching to Address Herder-Farmer Tensions
Recognizing land disputes as a primary driver of the herder-farmer clashes, Tinubu directed Governor Alia to allocate land for a modern ranching program to reduce tensions. He instructed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to collaborate with the state.
“Governor, give me land here to establish a ranch. I will share the profits after you retire. We have to confront this if it is about land grabbing.”
He elaborated that ranching would modernize livestock management, stating, “We must learn how to share and accommodate. We have enough land to feed, raise our children, and cultivate happiness and prosperity. Livestock reform is essential to restoring peace and reducing friction between communities.”
This initiative, he argued, would transform the crisis into an economic opportunity for Benue.
Call for Blood Donations and Support for Victims
After visiting victims at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, Tinubu called for voluntary blood donations to aid survivors. He urged Governor Alia to announce a statewide broadcast encouraging citizens to donate.
“Benue people deserve peace. Please announce in a statewide broadcast for people to donate blood to the survivors I visited at the Teaching Hospital.”
He also promised federal intervention to rebuild Yelwata, stating, “I aborted my visit to Yelwata because of the rains and bad roads, but I have seen the carnage on camera. We will do something about the redevelopment and recreation of that environment.”
Unity as a Foundation for Peace and Development
Tinubu passionately called for unity among Benue’s diverse ethnic groups, rejecting divisive narratives.
He declared, “As Nigerians, we are members of the same house, but sleeping in different rooms. Whether you are a Tiv, Idoma, or Yoruba, let’s turn this country into a nation of prosperity, and unity, and fight our enemies together; not fight each other.”
He emphasized that peace is critical for development, stating, “I wanted to come here to commission projects, to reassure you of hope and prosperity, not to see gloomy faces. Peace is vital to development.”
He further noted, “The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people,” urging citizens to support Governor Alia in fostering coexistence.
Acknowledgment of Genocidal Nature of Attacks
Aligning with the Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, who described the violence as a “calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits,” Tinubu rejected the oversimplified narrative of herder-farmer clashes.
He acknowledged the gravity of the crisis, “This is a national tragedy that demands more than sympathy—it demands swift action, honesty, and accountability.”
His commitment to addressing land-grabbing through ranching and the peace committee directly responded to the monarch’s call for a correct diagnosis and solution.
Advice to Governor Alia
Tinubu offered personal advice to Governor Alia, urging resilience in the face of criticism and political opposition.
“Be ready for insults. That is the yoke of leadership. Get your lantern and seek out those leaders to join you to find solutions.”
He encouraged Alia to collaborate with regional leaders, including the governor of Nasarawa State.
“The governor of Nasarawa is here, and the governor of Benue is here. Let’s create that synergy for peace, development, and prosperity.” Tinubu warned against political derailment, saying, “Your political enemies don’t want you to succeed, but we must not allow them to derail us from doing the right thing.”
Outlook
President Tinubu’s speech marks a proactive federal response, blending immediate action (arrests, blood donations) with long-term solutions (peace committee, ranching). However, implementation challenges, including funding, political will, and coordination with security agencies, could hinder progress.
With over 2 million IDPs in Benue, sustained efforts are critical. The President’s focus on unity and economic transformation offers hope, but success depends on tangible outcomes in justice and peacebuilding.
