… Tinubu directs security heads to hunt killers
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, directed Kayode Egbetokun, Nigeria’s police chief, and Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff, to immediately arrest criminals who perpetrated the heinous killing of over 100 people in Yelewata community in Benue State.
Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, said President Tinubu gave the directive while addressing stakeholders at the Government House, Makurdi.
President Tinubu called out the police IGP for failing to conduct arrests.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata. Inspector-General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” he said.
Tinubu also urged heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather actionable intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators.
Read also: Tinubu sets up committee of elders in Benue
According to Onanuga, the president also charged the CDS, Musa, on the need for vigilance and collaboration between communities and security forces.
Critics say Tinubu’s visit to Benue has doused tension in Yelwatta and the entire state, but called for arrests.
Tinubu advises Alia
Advising Governor Alia on the importance of stakeholder management for peaceful and progressive governance, Tinubu urged the governor to set up a peace committee in the state that will include former governors of Benue, elders, traditional rulers, federal government officials, and non-indigenes living in the state.
“Let us meet again in Abuja. Let’s fashion out a framework for lasting peace. I am ready to invest in that peace. I assure you, we will find peace. We will convert this tragedy into prosperity,” he said.
Tinubu told Governor Alia to allocate land for ranching and directed the minister of agriculture and food security to follow up on that.
Speaking on the condition of the survivors, he called for blood donations to support the injured receiving treatment at the Benue State Teaching Hospital, where he had earlier visited.
While underscoring the importance of peace for sustainable development, President Tinubu implored the governor to ensure Benue is peaceful, stressing that the circumstances of his visit this time should not have been a reason to visit.
“I wanted to come here to commission projects, to reassure you of hope and prosperity, not to see gloomy faces. But peace is vital to development,” he said.
Read also:Yelwata: Tinubu directs security heads to arrest killer herders
“The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people,” he stressed.
He charged Governor Alia to be the father for all and to work with the federal government to restore peace.
“Governor Alia, you were elected under the progressive banner to ensure peace, stability, and progress. You are not elected to bury people or comfort widows and orphans. We will work with you to achieve that peace. You must also work with us.
Gov Alia appeals for support
In his remarks, Governor Hyacinth Alia appealed to the federal government to establish a special intervention fund for communities affected by repeated violent attacks across Benue State.
“Your Excellency, while we continue to mourn our losses and rebuild from the ashes of pain, we humbly urge the federal government to consider establishing a special intervention fund for communities affected by these incessant attacks in Benue State,” he said.
Governor Alia said the fund would support the rehabilitation of displaced persons, reconstruction of destroyed homes and infrastructure, and the restoration of livelihoods, especially for farmers.
He reiterated his support for establishing state police as a lasting solution to insecurity.
Also speaking at the meeting, James Ayatse, chairman of the Benue State Traditional Council, praised President Tinubu for being the first sitting president to personally visit victims in the hospital in the wake of such a tragedy.
He thanked the president for appointing notable Benue indigenes into key positions, while expressing hope that more appointments would follow.
Read also: Tinubu to security chief: How come no one has been arrested for Benue killings?
Critics want arrests
Despite the visit, critics say the president and his security chiefs must make critical arrests and examine earlier studies on the Benue crises to put the kibosh on frequent killings in the state.
“There have been reports on the Benue crisis. The president and his security chiefs should study various reports on Benue and implement them. Secondly, we need to arrest people. We know them and we should begin to conduct arrests to send a signal for those who want to reap where they did not sow that you can’t just wake up and take over people’s land,” said Daniel Echechofu, a security analyst.
Dan Omelonye, a security strategist, said there is a need to make arrests and provide a level playing ground for everyone.
He said there is a need for herders to take ranching seriously, stressing that the federal government should support them to realize the objective.
