President Bola Tinubu has said that he will clear his schedule to pay a condolence visit to the people of Benue State on Wednesday, following last Saturday’s attack in the Yelewata community that left scores of residents dead.
“I will adjust my programme and go see Benue people on Wednesday,” Tinubu said on Monday when he inaugurated the Greater Abuja Water Supply Network in the nation’s capital.
The President also sympathised with the people of the state and those who lost their loved ones in the attacks.
He urged the people of the state to manage their diversity, anger, and frustration and live as one united people.
During his stay, Tinubu is expected to meet with all stakeholders — including traditional rulers, political, religious, community leaders, and youth groups — to seek lasting solutions to the hostilities.
“In preparation for the visit, President Tinubu has already dispatched the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees to Benue State.
“The President is expected to hold a town hall meeting with all stakeholders during the visit,” a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed on Monday.
Pope Leo XIV has since condemned the recent “terrible massacre” in Benue, describing it as “extreme cruelty”. The killings have also attracted widespread protests and national outrage as many Nigerians are utterly displeased with the way the Federal Government has been handling the situation.
Opposition arrowheads Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi have also faulted the government’s handling of the security crisis, calling on the Tinubu administration to live up to its constitutional mandate to secure the lives and property of citizens.
On Sunday, the President directed security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to Benue State.
On Monday, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun arrived the state in the company of other senior management team and ordered for the immediate deployment of additional tactical teams.
The police chief would meet with Governor Hyacinth Alia and other state actors before departing for Abuja.
On his part, Governor Alia sympathised with the people of the state whose loved ones had been killed, who had been displaced and who lost their farmlands. He pledged to work with the Federal Government to end the orgy of violence.