Benue Killings: We’ll Confront Land-Grabbing Head-On to Restore Peace — Tinubu
By Augustine Orapine
Makurdi — President Bola Tinubu has vowed to tackle the issue of land-grabbing directly, if it is found to be the root cause of the recurring killings by armed herdsmen in Benue State. He made this declaration during a visit to Makurdi, following last Friday’s deadly attack in Yelwata, where over 200 people were killed.
During a town hall meeting with stakeholders in the state capital, President Tinubu stressed the need for a lasting solution and peace, describing development as impossible without peace.
“We were not elected to bury people and have orphan and orphanages. We will work with you to achieve peace. We are here to work with the people. The people of Benue deserve peace, as the Tor Tiv mentioned,” he said.
“For us in Nigeria, we have to proffer solutions to this. We have to confront this if it is about land grabbing. But we must learn how to share and how to accommodate. We have enough land to feed, to raise our children, to cultivate happiness and prosperity. We must do it, we must change that attitude for peace.”
He emphasized unity, citing the national anthem:
“We sang through the national anthem that though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand. Let it reflect in everything we do.”
President Tinubu directed the immediate formation of a peace committee comprised of former governors, respected elders, non-indigenes, and the paramount traditional rulers of the Tiv and Idoma people, the Tor Tiv and the Och’Idoma.
“Let us please find a way to form a committee of elders. That committee will comprise those who have governed this state before. It will be a committee to really find a permanent outcome to this. The committee should have non-indigenes,” he said.
“I am ready to invest in that peace. We will find peace and we will convert this challenge to prosperity.”
The President, who visited survivors at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi, explained why he couldn’t physically visit Yelwata.
“I aborted my visit to Yelwata because of the rains and bad roads but I have seen the carnage on camera to enable us take a decision. We will do something about the redevelopment and recreation of that environment,” he assured.
“This is not the kind of visit I would have wanted. I want to be here to commission projects in the state for progress and development.”
He issued a strong directive to security agencies for immediate action.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelwata. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” Tinubu demanded.
He also urged the Department of State Services (DSS) and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to gather actionable intelligence to support the arrest of perpetrators.
“I commend the Chief of Defence Staff and his team for the good job they are doing in the state, but security agencies must keep their ears to the ground,” he added.
Governor Alia Praises Presidential Visit
Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed gratitude for Tinubu’s visit, stating it was the first time a sitting president had visited the state specifically because of insecurity.
“This visit of yours marks the very first time we will have the president of the nation visit us on account of insecurity. We believe this will bring an end to the security challenges that have persisted against our people in Benue State,” Alia said.
“Even though our eyes are full of tears and emotional grief due to the loss of our loved ones, our properties, farmlands and ancestral homes, our hopes are ignited by your visit.”
He also advocated for the establishment of state police:
“The Federal Government should work out the modalities to allay fears of people about state policing.”
Tor Tiv Calls for Recognition of True Nature of Crisis
The Tor Tiv, HRM Orchivirigh Prof James Ayatse, called on President Tinubu to ensure peace returns to the state. He urged proper characterisation of the crisis for appropriate response.
“It is not herder-farmer clashes. It is not communal clashes. It is not a reprisal attack or skirmish. 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,” the monarch said.
He warned against politicising the crisis:
“We hear that some politicians would even prefer that the crisis worsens, so it would serve as a basis for declaring a state of emergency. This is unfortunate. Any politician who prays for more people to die for such a project is working against the wishes of the people of Benue State.”
Appealing to the President, he added:
“All we ask of you is to stop our weeping. Give us peace in Benue State, so our people, primarily farmers, can return to their farms and continue to produce food for Nigeria.
“I heard a story about a challenge in a place in Kwara State, and you rose and gave them peace in Kaiama. You can do that for Benue.”
