President Bola Tinubu has issued a stern directive to security chiefs, ordering the immediate arrest of those responsible for the recent massacre of over 100 people in Yelewata community, Benue State.
The President gave the order during a meeting with stakeholders at the Government House in Makurdi on Wednesday, where he also advised Governor Hyacinth Alia to establish a peace committee.
The high-level meeting saw the attendance of the Secretary to the Federal Government, George Akume, traditional rulers, and former governors of Benue State. Governors from Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa states were also present.
Addressing the security apparatus directly, President Tinubu questioned the lack of arrests following the heinous crime.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” President Tinubu declared.
He further urged the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to enhance surveillance and intelligence gathering to apprehend the perpetrators.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, was also tasked with ensuring vigilance and fostering collaboration between communities and security forces.
In a move towards sustainable peace, President Tinubu advised Governor Alia to constitute a peace committee comprising former governors of Benue, elders, traditional rulers, federal government officials, and non-indigenes residing in the state. “Let us meet again in Abuja. Let’s fashion out a framework for lasting peace. I am ready to invest in that peace. I assure you, we will find peace. We will convert this tragedy into prosperity,” he affirmed.
The President also urged Governor Alia to allocate land for ranching and directed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security to follow up on this directive.
Earlier in his visit, President Tinubu visited victims and medical staff at the Benue State Teaching Hospital, where he made a call for blood donations to support the injured.
He underscored the critical importance of peace for sustainable development, lamenting that his visit was necessitated by tragedy rather than by project commissioning.
“I wanted to come here to commission projects, to reassure you of hope and prosperity, not to see gloomy faces. But peace is vital to development,” he said, adding forcefully, “The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people.”
He charged Governor Alia to work collaboratively with the federal government to restore peace.
“Governor Alia, you were elected under the progressive banner to ensure peace, stability, and progress. You are not elected to bury people or comfort widows and orphans. We will work with you to achieve that peace. You must also work with us,” the President emphasized, drawing a parallel to his own political challenges.
In his remarks, Governor Hyacinth Alia appealed to the Federal Government for a Special Intervention Fund for communities ravaged by repeated violent attacks in Benue State.
He stated that such a fund would aid in rehabilitating displaced persons, reconstructing destroyed homes and infrastructure, and restoring livelihoods, particularly for farmers.
Governor Alia reiterated his support for the establishment of state police as a long-term solution to insecurity and pledged his administration’s commitment to building a safe, stable, and prosperous Benue State.