Benue Crisis: President Tinubu Orders Security Chiefs to Enforce Peace, Tasks Governor Alia on Reconciliation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a renewed directive to security chiefs to urgently implement earlier orders aimed at restoring lasting peace and security in Benue State.
The President’s renewed call follows the latest wave of reprisal attacks in the state, which resulted in multiple casualties. In response, top intelligence officers, police personnel, and military forces have been deployed to the state to oversee security operations and stabilize the situation.
In addition to the security measures, President Tinubu has tasked the Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, with initiating immediate reconciliation efforts among the warring communities. The President emphasized the importance of dialogue and peaceful engagement between farmers, herders, and affected communities to bring an end to the persistent violence.
Describing the killings as "inhuman and anti-progress," President Tinubu condemned the continued bloodshed and warned political and community leaders against making inflammatory remarks that could escalate tensions.
“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,” the President said in a statement.
“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.”
President Tinubu called on Governor Alia to assume the role of a statesman by leading efforts to foster peace through inclusive dialogue and reconciliation.
“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,” the President added.
Efforts to de-escalate the crisis continue as security forces intensify operations across volatile areas of the state.
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