President Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to Benue State following renewed violence in the region.
Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga announced in a statement on Sunday that the President renewed his order in response to the latest round of reprisal attacks that resulted in multiple deaths.
Following the presidential directive, intelligence chiefs, police, and military personnel have been deployed to the state to oversee security operations and restore order.
The President has also tasked Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State with convening reconciliation meetings and facilitating dialogue amongst the warring parties to end the persistent bloodshed and establish lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and communities.
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The President’s statement comes amid growing international condemnation of the ongoing massacres and destruction of communities in Benue by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Describing the killings and bloodletting as “inhuman and anti-progress,” President Tinubu called upon political and community leaders in conflict areas to cease making inflammatory statements that could further escalate tensions.
The President emphasised that community leaders should instead restrain those who provoke violence and trigger reprisal attacks.
“The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough,” the President stated.
“I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them.”
President Tinubu stressed that political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory statements that could further heighten tensions and killings.
“This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue,” he added.
“Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice.”
