President Bola Tinubu has urged the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, to rise to the occasion and take charge of the peace process in the state, following renewed waves of killings and reprisal attacks that have claimed several lives in recent days.
The President charged Governor Alia to immediately lead reconciliation efforts and initiate dialogue among warring parties, particularly between farmers, herders, and affected communities.
He described the ongoing crisis as tragic and unacceptable, calling for responsible leadership at both political and community levels.
“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,” Tinubu said in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday.
“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 also directed Nigeria’s security chiefs to fully implement his earlier instructions to restore peace and security in Benue.
He noted that security and intelligence officers, including the police and military, have already arrived in the state to coordinate operations aimed at stabilizing the region.
Tinubu expressed deep concern over the continued bloodshed and warned against provocative statements and actions that may escalate 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,” the President declared.
He added that security agencies have been instructed to act decisively against all perpetrators of violence, irrespective of which side they belong to.
“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,” Tinubu said.
Calling for collective responsibility, he appealed to political and community leaders in the state to avoid inflammatory rhetoric and to restrain those who may instigate reprisals.
“Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings. They should also rein in those who go out to cause provocations and ignite reprisal attacks,” he cautioned.
