President Bola Tinubu has ordered security chiefs to intervene quickly and restore peace in Benue State. Recall that gunmen stormed Yelewata village in Guma LGA of Benue State late Friday, unleashing one of the deadliest assaults the state has seen in years.
Tinubu has now charged the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, to convene reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to end the incessant bloodshed.
Reacting via a press statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, he disclosed that he has directed intelligence chiefs, the police and the military to restore sanity in the state.
“On the president’s directive, intelligence chiefs, the police and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity.
President Tinubu has equally charged the governor of Benue State with convening reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to end the incessant bloodshed and bring lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and communities,” it read.
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The President described the bloodshed as inhuman and wicked, urging political leaders and community leaders in conflict areas to avoid triggering more violence via unguarded utterances and statements that would only instigate more attacks.
He also appealed to political leaders across the nation to caution those who constantly cause provocations and ignite further violence.
He concluded by saying that the latest killings in Benue State is very depressing, and such violence cannot be allowed to continue.
“The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough. I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them.
Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings. This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue.
Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice,” he added.
