The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse, has acknowledged an improvement in the security situation in Benue State following the visit of President Bola Tinubu on June 18, 2025.
Speaking at his palace in Makurdi during a condolence visit by First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the paramount ruler said although the killings have not ceased entirely, violence in the region has reduced significantly.
“While the attacks by militias and bandits have not completely stopped, we can report that there has been some noticeable improvement in security,” the Tor Tiv stated.
According to him, the President’s visit led to decisive action, including the deployment of additional security forces to vulnerable communities across the state on the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff.
A Motherly Gesture of Solidarity
Ayatse praised Senator Tinubu for her consistent humanitarian and developmental efforts, describing her presence as a strong symbol of compassion and national unity.
“Your presence here today reflects not only your strategic support as a former Senator of the Federal Republic but also your motherly and compassionate response to moments of distress in our nation,” he said.
He highlighted the First Lady’s initiatives in health, education, agriculture, and economic empowerment, and thanked her for the support extended to orphans, the elderly, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and persons with disabilities.
Lingering Crisis and a Cry for Help
However, the Tor Tiv painted a grim picture of the continued hardship faced by residents in rural Benue, especially farmers displaced by years of sustained attacks.
“Farmers have been driven away from their lands. Hunger is widespread, and food is scarce in a state once celebrated as the ‘Food Basket of the Nation.’”
He lamented that despite the devastation, affected communities had received little in terms of meaningful compensation or support.
“What has been offered to our grieving people feels like salt added to their wounds—token gestures that do not meet the needs of mothers who have lost children or families that have been destroyed.”
Call for National Action
Describing the killings as a national tragedy, the monarch urged federal authorities to treat the matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves.
He pointed to recent warnings by the Governor of Nasarawa State about the influx of terrorist elements, noting that while some leaders had demonstrated awareness of the threat, the response from federal security agencies remained inadequate.
“Our prayer is that these relentless attacks will finally stop. That our people will return safely to their farms. We hope that meaningful relief and restoration will come to our communities,” he concluded.
