Tinubu Dispatches SGF, NSA, Others Ahead Of Visit To Benue, Wednesday.
President Bola Tinubu has deployed a high-powered delegation, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, to Benue State in preparation for his visit scheduled for Wednesday. The move comes in response to a wave of deadly attacks attributed to suspected armed herders, which have claimed over 200 lives in recent weeks across the state. The delegation’s mission is to assess the security situation and coordinate with local authorities to restore calm.
The violence, concentrated in the Sankera axis (Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala), has displaced thousands and heightened tensions in Benue, a state long plagued by herder-farmer conflicts. During a recent meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia and the SGF, President Tinubu stressed the importance of reconciliation and dialogue, according to Alia’s comments on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday. The presidency has also directed security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend perpetrators, with additional resources deployed to the region.
Tinubu’s visit is expected to include meetings with community leaders, traditional rulers, and victims of the attacks, particularly in hard-hit areas like Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area, where over 100 people were killed on 13 June. The president’s presence is seen as a signal of federal commitment to addressing the crisis, though some residents have expressed scepticism, citing previous unfulfilled promises. Public calls for a state of emergency in Benue have grown louder, with critics comparing the government’s response to swifter action in other crises, such as the political situation in Rivers State.
The delegation’s preliminary findings will guide Tinubu’s engagements, with a focus on both immediate security measures and long-term solutions. Benue Police Commissioner Ifeanyi Enemari confirmed the arrest of 42 bandits and 10 herders, alongside the recovery of firearms, indicating some progress. However, local leaders have urged the government to address root causes, including open grazing and arms proliferation, to prevent further bloodshed.
Analysts view Tinubu’s visit as a critical opportunity to rebuild trust in federal authorities. The outcome of his engagements could shape public perception of his administration’s handling of insecurity, a key challenge in Nigeria’s North-Central region. As Benue braces for the president’s arrival, residents hope for concrete actions to end the cycle of violence.
