President Tinubu has formed a peace committee following the killing of over 200 people in Benue State, vowing justice and long-term solutions to end the violence
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n the aftermath of a devastating attack that claimed the lives of over 200 people in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State,
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President Bola Tinubu has constituted a high-level peace committee to restore lasting stability to the state.
The President, who visited the region on Wednesday, vowed to convert tragedy into prosperity through collective national action.
Members of the newly formed committee include former governors of Benue State such as Senator George Akume, Senator Gabriel Suswam, Samuel Ortom, and former military administrator, General Atom Kpera (retd).
The traditional rulers, Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, Dr John Elaigwu, are also part of the team, alongside federal officials and representatives of non-indigene communities.
President Tinubu, speaking at a town hall in Makurdi, pledged the Federal Government’s full support, insisting that those responsible for the massacre must be arrested and prosecuted.
He directed the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to urgently apprehend the culprits.
“Let’s get those criminals out,” Tinubu charged, adding that peace must be built through collaboration between Benue and neighbouring Nasarawa State.
The horrific incident, believed to have been carried out by armed herders, has been described as one of the worst in recent years.
According to Amnesty International and local sources, attackers stormed the village late Friday night, burning homes and killing scores of residents, many of whom were already displaced by previous violence.
Pope Francis condemned the killings, and calls for justice have intensified. Tor Tiv, Prof. Ayatse, insisted the crisis is not merely a farmer-herder clash but a calculated campaign of land grabbing and genocide.
He urged President Tinubu to end the “weeping” of Benue people and facilitate their return to farming.
Governor Hyacinth Alia appealed for a special federal intervention fund to rebuild affected communities, restore livelihoods and resettle displaced persons. He also reaffirmed his administration’s support for state policing as a long-term solution.
Tinubu, while commending the military’s response, demanded more intelligence coordination from the DSS and NIA, and pledged to invest in peace.
He asked Governor Alia to allocate land for ranching and encouraged blood donations to support victims at the Benue State Teaching Hospital.
Condemnations have poured in from various quarters. The Northern Elders Forum described the killings as genocide and accused the government of negligence and complicity.
Religious group Concerned Christian Youth Forum called for greater vigilance and responsibility from political and security leaders.
Also read: Benue students made to brave rain for Tinubu’s visit despite public holiday
As Benue buries its dead once more, the focus shifts to whether Tinubu’s peace initiative can finally halt the recurring bloodshed and deliver the security, justice, and healing the state so desperately needs.
Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.
