President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to immediately arrest all those responsible for the recent wave of killings and violence that has engulfed Benue State, describing the bloodshed as “senseless.”
The President issued the directive in a statement released via his X account on Sunday, expressing his frustration over the continued violence in the troubled state where over 200 people have reportedly been killed in fresh outbreaks of conflict.
“I have been briefed on the senseless bloodletting in Benue State. Enough is enough! I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them,” Tinubu declared in his statement.
The President called on Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to take immediate leadership in addressing the crisis through dialogue and reconciliation among the warring parties. He emphasized that political and community leaders must exercise restraint in their public statements to avoid escalating tensions.
“Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings,” the President warned.
Tinubu specifically challenged Governor Alia to demonstrate statesmanship in resolving the conflict, stating: “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.”
The President stressed the fundamental right of all Nigerians to live in peace and outlined the conditions necessary for achieving lasting stability in the region.
“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,” he emphasized.
The presidential intervention comes amid escalating violence in Benue State, where farmer-herder conflicts and other security challenges have resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of communities. The President’s directive for arrests on “all sides of the conflict” suggests a comprehensive approach to addressing the multi-faceted nature of the violence plaguing the state.
The call for immediate action underscores the federal government’s growing concern over the deteriorating security situation in Benue State and the urgent need for coordinated efforts to restore peace to the troubled region.
