Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has instructed security agencies to implement sweeping measures aimed at restoring peace to Benue State, following renewed outbreaks of deadly violence.
The directive, announced by presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga, comes after a wave of reprisal killings rocked communities in the state, reigniting longstanding tensions between herders, farmers, and local groups.
In response, senior security personnel, including intelligence, police, and military officers, have been deployed to coordinate efforts directly in Benue. The move signals a more hands-on approach by the federal government in resolving the escalating crisis.
President Tinubu has also tasked Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia with launching immediate reconciliation initiatives, including peace talks and community engagement forums aimed at mending fractured relations.
Labelled by the president as “inhuman and anti-development,” the ongoing violence in Benue has drawn criticism for its devastating humanitarian toll and its threat to national unity.
“The latest reports of killings in Benue are unacceptable and heartbreaking,” President Tinubu stated. “We cannot allow this bloodshed to continue. I’ve ordered the security forces to arrest and prosecute all perpetrators, no matter their background.”
The president also appealed to local leaders to exercise restraint in their public statements and to discourage any actions that may provoke further attacks.
He added, “Leaders in Benue must unite to restore harmony. The state’s future depends on cooperation, fairness, and a genuine commitment to justice.”
The federal intervention aims not only to address immediate security concerns but also to lay the groundwork for sustainable peace in one of Nigeria’s most volatile regions.
