Top political leaders and traditional rulers convened at the Benue State Government House banquet hall in Makurdi and at Yelewata—the site of last Friday’s massacre—in anticipation of President Bola Tinubu’s visit today.
The purpose of Wednesday’s visit is to engage with local leaders in a bid to address the ongoing communal violence that has claimed more than 500 lives so far in 2025.
Upon arrival, President Tinubu is expected to head to Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, the scene of the most recent attack where over 100 people were killed.
He is also scheduled to meet with the families of victims, displaced residents, and community leaders directly affected by the crisis.
From Yelewata, the President will visit the hospital where several persons injured from the attack are recuperating.
He will proceed to the Benue State Government House Banquet Hall in Makurdi, where he will preside over a town hall meeting with critical stakeholders.
Expected at the meeting are key national and state-level figures, including governors, particularly from the North Central zone, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Dr Umar Ganduje and other personalities from across political, security and traditional institutions.
Other attendees include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, a former Benue State Governor (1999-2007), Governor Samuel Ortom (2015-2023), members of the APC National Working Committee, and federal lawmakers representing the affected communities in Benue.
Traditional rulers from various ethnic groups within Benue are also seated for the meeting alongside the Executive Chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
Also present are the Elders’ Council, members of the Benue State House of Assembly, party executives at the local government level, the Benue State Executive Council and other critical stakeholders from the religious and civil society.
Gunmen stormed Yelewata village in Guma LGA of Benue State late Friday, June 13, unleashing one of the deadliest assaults the state has seen in years.
Amnesty International and local official reports say that at least 100 residents were killed, dozens remain missing, and hundreds are nursing gunshot and burn wounds after attackers set houses ablaze through the early hours of Saturday.
Local Police confirmed the raid but have not issued a final casualty figure, while emergency workers say many victims were internally displaced people who had taken refuge in the village after earlier attacks.
The Benue State government has launched a manhunt, but residents fear more reprisals as the rainy season, peak period for disputed grazing and planting, sets in.