President Bola Tinubu arrived in Makurdi, Benue State, on Wednesday following last week’s deadly attack in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, where armed assailants killed over 100 people.
The massacre, which occurred late Friday and continued into Saturday, targeted mostly displaced persons who had sought refuge in the community after previous violence. Tinubu’s visit comes as Benue grapples with escalating bloodshed, with more than 500 lives lost to communal violence this year alone.
The President’s itinerary includes an on-the-ground assessment in Yelewata, the site of the latest killings, followed by visits to hospitals treating the wounded. He will then convene a high-stakes town hall meeting at the Benue State Government House, bringing together political leaders, security chiefs, traditional rulers, and civil society representatives.
Key attendees include Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, former Governor Samuel Ortom, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, APC National Chairman Umar Ganduje, North Central governors, and federal lawmakers from affected areas. The Benue State Government declared Wednesday a public holiday to enable broad participation in the discussions.
While authorities have promised increased security and humanitarian support, residents remain fearful of further attacks, particularly as seasonal farming activities heighten tensions over land use. The President’s visit signals federal attention to the crisis, but many in Benue await concrete steps to end the cycle of violence.
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