Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, affirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to end the killings in Benue State and bring those responsible to justice.
Over the weekend, suspected herdsmen launched a deadly attack on Yelewata, a border town in Benue, leaving several residents dead.
In response, President Bola Tinubu ordered security chiefs to enforce his previous directive aimed at restoring lasting peace and security in the state.
The President also instructed Governor Hyacinth Alia to initiate reconciliation meetings and dialogue between farmers, herders, and local communities to foster peaceful coexistence and stop the recurring violence.
During a meeting with Governor Alia on Monday at the government house in Makurdi, Egbetokun expressed Tinubu’s deep concern over the killings, noting that they not only affect lives but also pose a threat to national territorial integrity.
Governor Alia, while welcoming the IGP, thanked the President and Nigeria’s security agencies for their swift response but decried the continued targeting of vulnerable communities. He urged for improved strategies to guarantee the safety of Benue residents.
After the meeting, Egbetokun proceeded to Yelewata to personally assess the situation and determine the necessary actions to quell the crisis.