President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s security chiefs to swiftly implement his earlier orders to end the cycle of violence in Benue State, following a fresh wave of deadly reprisal attacks.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, President Tinubu described the continued bloodshed in the state as “inhuman and anti-progress,” stressing that “enough is now enough.”
In line with the President’s directive, intelligence agencies, the police, and the military have been deployed to Benue to coordinate ground operations and restore order in the affected communities.
Beyond military intervention, President Tinubu tasked Governor Hyacinth Alia to immediately convene reconciliation and peace meetings among farmers, herders, and local communities to address the root causes of the violence and promote lasting harmony.
“The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing,” the President said. “We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. 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.”
He warned political and community leaders to refrain from inflammatory statements that could escalate tensions and urged them to discourage any form of provocation that could lead to further violence.
Calling on Governor Alia to rise above partisan interests, President Tinubu urged him to act “as a statesman” and lead a dialogue-driven reconciliation process that prioritizes peace, fairness, and justice.
“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,” the President added.
This renewed push for peace comes amid growing national concern over persistent violence in Benue State, which has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands over the years.
