President Tinubu Orders Immediate Arrest of Killer Herders in Benue State

Strategic Insights -

President Bola Tinubu's visit to Benue State in the wake of a devastating massacre saw him order the immediate arrest of the perpetrators, sounding a strong note of urgency and determination to restore peace to the troubled community. The President's high-level town hall meeting with stakeholders, including state and national leaders, traditional rulers, and former governors, marked a turning point in the crisis, as he directed various government agencies to intensify surveillance and provide intelligence to track down the killers. Tinubu's words of condolence to the victims and their families at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital were a poignant reminder of the human cost of the conflict, as he stressed the importance of peace for development.

Key Takeaways:

  • The President ordered the immediate arrest of the killer herders responsible for the massacre of over 100 people in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
  • Tinubu directly questioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on the lack of arrests in the heinous crime, demanding to know "where are the arrests?"
  • He directed the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, along with the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), to intensify surveillance and provide actionable intelligence to track down the perpetrators.
  • The President urged Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to set up a peace committee made up of former governors, elders, traditional rulers, federal government officials, and representatives of non-indigenous communities in the state.
  • Tinubu also instructed Governor Alia to allocate land for ranching as part of efforts to resolve the persistent farmer-herder conflict.
  • The President visited victims of the attack at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, offering condolences and calling for blood donations to support the injured.
  • Governor Alia appealed to the Federal Government to establish a Special Intervention Fund for communities affected by recurring violent attacks.
  • The Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, Tor Tiv, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, commended President Tinubu for personally visiting victims of the attack and praised his government for appointing notable Benue sons into key national roles.

Statistics:

  • Over 100 people were killed in the massacre in Yelewata community.
  • The President visited victims of the attack at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.
  • Governor Alia urged the Federal Government to establish a Special Intervention Fund for communities affected by recurring violent attacks.

Sources:

  • The Nation
  • SaharaReporters
  • Channels Television
  • Premium Times
  • Guardian