As always, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed security agencies to fish out and prosecute those responsible for the latest bloodbath in Benue State, where no fewer than 100 people were killed in a brutal attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area.
The massacre, carried out by suspected armed invaders, sparked outrage across the state. In response, angry youths from Yelwata blocked the Lafia–Makurdi highway in protest. The demonstrations continued into Sunday morning in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, where police fired teargas to disperse the protesting crowd.
Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday night, President Tinubu described the killings as “senseless bloodletting” and called for swift, decisive action.
“Enough is enough!” the President said. “I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them.”
As has become customary in the wake of such attacks, Tinubu also called on the state governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, to lead a reconciliation process aimed at restoring peace between farmers, herders, and local communities.
“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,” the President urged.
He further cautioned local leaders against making inflammatory remarks that could worsen tensions: “Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.”
“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,” the statement added.
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