President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered security agencies to urgently apprehend those behind the deadly attack on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The President issued the directive during a high-level stakeholders meeting held on Wednesday at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi. The meeting was convened in response to the widespread outrage triggered by the recent deadly attack on the community.
In a strong charge to the heads of Nigeria’s top security establishments, Tinubu called for urgent and decisive action to bring the perpetrators to justice. Addressing the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the President said:
“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.”
The President also directed the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance activities, gather actionable intelligence, and work closely with local communities to ensure that those behind the killings are apprehended without delay.
A statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, noted that the crucial meeting was attended by key political and traditional stakeholders, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; governors of Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa states; as well as former governors and traditional rulers of Benue State.
As part of his proposed solutions for lasting peace in the troubled region, President Tinubu urged Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, to immediately set up a broad-based peace committee. He suggested that this committee should include former governors, traditional rulers, community elders, federal government officials, and representatives of non-indigene communities 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,” President Tinubu stated.
Earlier in the day, President Bola Tinubu paid a visit to victims of last Friday’s armed herders’ attack who are receiving treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) in Makurdi.
He was welcomed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, alongside the state’s Governor, Hyacinth Alia.
