President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday warned security agencies to step up and make necessary arrests relating to the recent attack in the Yelwata community of Benue State that reportedly claimed over 200 lives.

He also announced plans to establish a peace committee aimed at ending the long-standing violence in the state.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House Banquet Hall in Makurdi, the President said the committee would include traditional rulers such as the Tor Tiv, James Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, as well as other key leaders.

He said, “I will want us to create this leadership committee now and then we meet in Abuja to really fashion out the nucleus for a lasting peace, and I’m ready to invest in that peace,” Tinubu said at the meeting.

“And I want the traditional rulers, Tor Tiv and Ochidoma to be included in this peace committee. I think by now you will be bored of hearing my voice, but I give you the assurance, we will find peace, we will convert this tragedy to prosperity.”

The President, who visited victims of the Yelwata attack at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital earlier in the day, expressed concern over the rising death toll and lack of arrests, warning security agencies to act swiftly.

“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals.

“Christopher (the Chief of Defence Staff), you have given much. I watch your comments, you can’t be tired of staying in the bush. Oloyede and the Air Marshal, we thank all of you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground, let’s get those criminals, let’s get them out. DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels, and let’s have tangible intelligence so that this will not occur again,” he said.

He also called for unity among Nigerians, urging citizens to focus on defeating common enemies rather than internal strife.

The meeting was attended by Governor Hyacinth Alia, several North-Central governors, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, service chiefs and other traditional and political leaders.

On Sunday, Tinubu asked Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State to convene a reconciliation meeting and dialogue with the warring factions as part of moves to end the bloodshed and bring peace to the state.
During his visit to the troubled state on Wednesday, Tinubu re-echoed the need for tolerance and dialogue among stakeholders in the North-Central state.

“As Nigerians, we are members of the same house, but sleeping in different rooms. Whether you are a Tiv, Idoma, or Yoruba, let’s turn this country into a nation of prosperity, and unity, and fight our enemies together; not fight each other,” the president told the gathering that including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje; traditional leaders, governors and other dignitaries.

“We can turn this tragedy into economic prosperity. We can do it, and we will do it with you. Let’s have a very serious understanding of, tolerance level. The value of human lives is greater than that of a cow,” Tinubu told Governor Alia.

“Let’s create that synergy for peace, development, and prosperity. We are here to govern, not to bury [them]. We are here to raise families, not to lose some, and provide healthcare, water for them to drink, and food [for them] to eat,” he said amid applause from the crowd at the Government House in the Benue State capital.

Establishment of ‘Leadership Committee’

President Tinubu, at the meeting, also canvassed for the establishment of a committee comprising past governors of the state, traditional rulers, and other important stakeholders to help in finding lasting solutions to the lingering issues affecting Benue State.

“Whatever we need to do, I will want us to create this leadership committee now, and then we will meet in Abuja to really fashion out the nucleus of a lasting peace, and I am ready to invest in that peace,” the president said.

Tinubu said Benue State deserves to live in peace and is asking Nigerians to donate blood to the injured victims of the recent surge of killings.

He said, “Governor, please announce in the broadcast for people to donate more blood voluntarily to the hospitals”.

During his visit to Benue State, the former Lagos State governor went to the hospital to see those nursing injuries from the attacks.

Alia seeks State Police, Intervention Fund

Meanwhile, Governor Alia believes the establishment of state police and an intervention fund for the affected communities are critical steps to restoring peace in Benue.
According to Alia, though community policing comes with challenges, it is essential to ending the lingering crisis rocking the food-producing state.

‘Genocidal Invasion’

For the Tor Tiv V and Chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, James Ayatse, the killings in the state are calculated and genocidal.

“We have grave concern about the misinformation and misrepresentation of the security crisis in Benue,” the traditional ruler said.

“Your Excellency, it is not herders-farmers clashes, it is not communal clashes, it is not reprisal attacks or skirmishes. It is this misinformation that has led to suggestions such as ‘remain tolerant’, ‘negotiate for peace’, or ‘learn to live with your neighbours.’

“What we are dealing with here in Benue is a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits, which has been on for decades and is worsening every year.

“Wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment. So we are dealing with something far more sinister than we often admit.”