During a town hall meeting with stakeholders in Makurdi on Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu emphasized the urgent need to end the violence that has claimed countless lives and displaced entire communities in Benue State. “We were not elected to conduct burials or create orphanages. We are here to build peace,” he stated firmly.
Addressing the underlying tensions over land ownership, Tinubu called for a comprehensive approach to resolving the conflict. “If this is about land grabbing, we must confront it. There is enough land in Nigeria for everyone to live, farm, and thrive. We must learn to coexist and accommodate one another,” he said.
Citing the national anthem, the President added, “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand. Let this principle guide all our actions.”
To pursue a lasting solution, Tinubu ordered the creation of a Benue Elders’ Peace Committee. This body will include former governors, traditional leaders such as the Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma, as well as non-indigenes. He stressed his personal commitment to the initiative, saying, “Let’s assemble a true council of elders to seek a permanent solution. The committee will meet in Abuja, and I am ready to invest in that peace.”
The President also gave a direct order to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to swiftly apprehend those behind last Friday’s massacre in Yelwata, where over 200 lives were lost. “Such brutality will not be tolerated. The perpetrators must face justice,” he said.
Although Tinubu had planned to visit Yelwata in person, he explained that poor weather and road conditions forced a change of plans. “I had to cancel the trip due to the rains and bad roads, but I’ve seen the devastation on video. We will act on restoring and rebuilding the community,” he assured.
Earlier, the President visited victims of the attack who are receiving care at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital. He expressed sorrow over the tragic circumstances that prompted his visit, noting, “This is not the kind of visit I had hoped to make. I want to come here to inaugurate projects and celebrate progress—not to mourn.
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