President Bola Tinubu has instructed security chiefs to enforce his earlier directive aimed at restoring peace and security in Benue State, according to his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga.
In a statement, Onanuga revealed that the President reiterated his mandate following recent reprisal attacks that resulted in significant loss of life.
Governor Hyacinth Alia confirmed on Sunday that 59 people were killed in Yelewata, a border town targeted by suspected herdsmen from Nasarawa State. The death toll was based on headcounts conducted by security agencies in collaboration with victims’ families.
Reacting to the incident, President Tinubu urged the governor to organize reconciliation meetings and foster dialogue among the conflicting parties. He emphasized the need for lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and local communities.
“On the president’s directive, intelligence chiefs, the police and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity,” Onanuga said.
Describing the killings and bloodletting as inhuman and anti-progress, Tinubu called on political leaders and community leaders in conflict areas to stop fuelling the crisis through unguarded utterances and statements that could further inflame tensions.
“The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough.
“I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them.
“Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.
“This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue. Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice,” the President was quoted as saying.