Tinubu orders arrest of Benue killers, tells Alia to set up peace committee, allocate land for ranching

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s top security agencies to immediately arrest the armed herders responsible for the recent massacre in Yelewata, Benue State, where over 100 people were killed.

Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, the President expressed outrage at the absence of accountability for the killings.

“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata?” Tinubu asked, turning directly to the Inspector General of Police. “Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately.”

Tinubu, who was accompanied by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and governors from Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa, also ordered intelligence agencies to intensify efforts in tracking down the perpetrators.

“Heads of the DSS and NIA must step up. We need actionable intelligence. We cannot allow this kind of barbarism to go unanswered,” he said.

The President advised Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to create a broad-based Peace Committee, inclusive of traditional rulers, elders, former governors, federal representatives, and non-indigenes.

“Let us meet again in Abuja. Let’s fashion out a framework for lasting peace. I am ready to invest in that peace,” Tinubu assured. “We will convert this tragedy into prosperity. I assure you, we will find peace.”

During his address, Tinubu emphasized that Benue must not remain a flashpoint of violence.

“I wanted to come here to commission projects, to reassure you of hope and prosperity — not to see gloomy faces,” he said. “But peace is vital to development. The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people.”

Tinubu also directed Governor Alia to allocate land for ranching, promising full federal support.

“Please, allocate land for ranching. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security has been directed to follow up immediately,” the President added.

He visited victims of the attacks at the Benue State Teaching Hospital earlier and called on Nigerians to donate blood to aid the injured.

“Let us support these victims. I encourage voluntary blood donation across the state,” he said.

In his response, Governor Hyacinth Alia requested federal support to rebuild affected communities and restore livelihoods.

“We humbly urge the Federal Government to consider establishing a Special Intervention Fund for communities affected by incessant attacks in Benue State,” Alia said. “This fund will support the rehabilitation of displaced persons, reconstruction of destroyed homes and infrastructure, and the restoration of livelihoods, especially for farmers.”

The Governor reiterated his backing for the establishment of state police, calling it “a lasting solution to our security challenges.”

Also speaking at the meeting, the Tor Tiv and Chairman of the Benue Traditional Council, Orchivirigh Prof. James Ayatse, praised Tinubu for visiting victims in person — a rare move by a sitting President.

“Your Excellency, this is the first time a President is visiting victims in the hospital in the aftermath of such tragedy,” he said. “Thank you for appointing our sons into key offices, including SGF and Minister of Water Resources. We hope more will come.”

But the monarch also gave a blunt assessment of the crisis:

“This is not a herder-farmer clash. It is not communal violence. What we are facing in Benue is a calculated, well-planned genocidal land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits,” Ayatse said.

He warned against politicizing the crisis, accusing some political actors of seeking to benefit from further bloodshed.

“We hear some politicians would prefer the situation to deteriorate so they can push for a state of emergency. Any politician who prays for more people to die for such a project is working against the people of Benue State,” he declared.

The traditional ruler urged Tinubu to bring peace to Benue just as he had done in other troubled areas.

“We heard how you intervened and restored peace in Kaiama, Kwara State. We beg you to do the same for Benue,” he concluded.

The meeting ended with the President reiterating his commitment to protecting lives and upholding democracy.

“Not everyone will like you in politics. They hate me too — like hell. But here I am, still your President,” Tinubu said. “I made a promise to protect democracy, freedom, and prosperity — even for my abusers and accusers. That’s leadership.”