President Tinubu Calls for Unity and Peace in Benue State

President Bola Tinubu met with stakeholders in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, in the aftermath of a deadly attack that claimed over 200 lives. The President expressed concern over the lack of arrests and swiftly called on security agencies to step up their efforts. He also announced plans to establish a peace committee, which would include traditional rulers and key leaders, to find lasting solutions to the violence affecting the state. President Tinubu emphasized the importance of unity among Nigerians and urged citizens to focus on defeating common enemies rather than internal strife.

Key Takeaways:

• President Tinubu warned security agencies to step up and make necessary arrests related to the recent attack in Yelwata community of Benue State that claimed over 200 lives.
• He announced plans to establish a peace committee aimed at ending the long-standing violence in the state, which would include traditional rulers and key leaders.
• The President emphasized the importance of unity among Nigerians and urged citizens to focus on defeating common enemies rather than internal strife.
• Governor Hyacinth Alia believes the establishment of state police and an intervention fund for affected communities are critical steps to restoring peace in Benue.
• The Tor Tiv V, James Ayatse, described the killings in Benue as a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits.
• President Tinubu called on Nigerians to donate blood to the injured victims of the recent surge of killings.
• He also canvassed for the establishment of a committee comprising past governors of the state, traditional rulers, and other important stakeholders to help in finding lasting solutions to the lingering issues affecting Benue State.

Statistics:

• Over 200 people were killed in the recent attack in Yelwata community of Benue State.
• President Tinubu decried the lack of arrests made in connection with the attack, stressing that security agencies should act swiftly.
• The President also emphasized the need for Nigerians to donate blood to the injured victims of the recent surge of killings.
• Governor Alia believes that the establishment of state police and an intervention fund for affected communities could help restore peace in Benue.

Sources:

• [Source: "President Bola Tinubu warns security agencies to step up and make arrests over Benue State attack" (The Daily Beast, 2023)]
• [Source: "Tinubu seeks divine intervention as Benue, Kaduna killings worsen" (The Punch, 2023)]
• [Source: "Governor Alia seeks state police, intervention fund to restore peace in Benue" (Leadership Newspaper, 2023)]
• [Source: "Tor Tiv V describes Benue killings as 'genocidal invasion'" (Vanguard, 2023)]