In the wake of last Friday’s devastating attack in Yelewata, Guma LGA of Benue State that reportedly claimed around 200 lives, President Bola Tinubu has constituted a high-level committee aimed at fostering long-term peace in the region.
The newly formed peace panel includes former military administrator of Benue, Gen Atom Kpera (retd.), along with past state governors George Akume, Gabriel Suswam, and Samuel Ortom.
Traditional leaders such as the Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse, and the Ochidoma, HRM Dr John Elaigwu, will also be playing pivotal roles in the committee.
President Tinubu, speaking at a stakeholders’ town hall at the Benue State Government House banquet hall in Makurdi, urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to lead the committee’s activities and emphasized the importance of engaging both residents and non-indigenes to foster inclusion and reconciliation.
“Let’s reconvene in Abuja and craft a lasting solution. I’m prepared to commit to peace. Together, we’ll transform this sorrow into renewed hope,” Tinubu said.
Dignitaries present included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, traditional rulers, and governors of Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo, and Nasarawa States.
President Tinubu stressed that real progress depends on a united, inter-state approach, calling on Nasarawa and Benue to work in tandem. He underscored that leaders were elected to build futures, not bury victims.
He also encouraged local communities to back Governor Alia and help sustain peace-building efforts. Tinubu reiterated his commitment to supporting the state, declaring: “I assure you, we’ll recover peace and turn tragedy into opportunity—again and again.”
Late Friday, suspected armed herders stormed Yelewata village in one of the most brutal attacks seen in recent years. Amnesty International and local authorities estimate that over 100 people were killed, with dozens still unaccounted for and hundreds suffering injuries from gunfire and arson.
While some reports cite 200 fatalities, the Nigeria Police confirmed the incident and stated that investigations are ongoing. Many victims were internally displaced persons seeking refuge after earlier assaults.
Despite a government-led manhunt, local fears of retaliatory violence are escalating, particularly as the rainy season heightens land-use tensions.
Pope Francis mentioned the tragedy during his Sunday address, while human rights groups continue to decry a pattern of impunity surrounding Nigeria’s rural violence.
At the town hall, Tinubu ordered the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to promptly apprehend those responsible.
“There should be arrests—no excuses,” Tinubu insisted, expressing disappointment over the absence of suspects days after the killings.
He also urged intelligence chiefs from the DSS and NIA to enhance monitoring and deliver actionable insights to prevent recurrence.
In another directive, Tinubu called for land allocation to support ranching and tasked the Agriculture Minister with ensuring swift implementation. He also appealed for blood donations for the injured being treated at Benue State Teaching Hospital.
Addressing Governor Alia, Tinubu said, “I came here hoping to celebrate achievements, not mourn losses. Development hinges on peace. Human life outweighs cattle.”
He continued, “You were elected to drive progress and safety. We’ll partner with you to fulfill that mandate. Critics exist—I face them too. But true leadership protects even those who oppose you.”
Governor Alia’s Response
Governor Alia called for a Special Intervention Fund to help communities affected by repeated attacks rebuild their homes, regain livelihoods, and recover from trauma. He also reaffirmed his support for state police as a sustainable security measure.
Traditional Leadership’s Perspective
Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, thanked Tinubu for being the first sitting President to personally visit victims of such an attack. He refuted the framing of the crisis as mere herder-farmer conflict, stating that what’s unfolding in Benue is a deliberate campaign of land invasion and violence.
“This is no local skirmish. It’s a calculated, genocidal land grab by terrorists and bandits,” Ayatse said. He criticized politicians for weaponizing the conflict and implored the President to end the suffering.
“Please, sir, stop our tears. Give us lasting peace so our farmers can return to their lands and contribute to national food production,” he urged.
Northern Elders’ and Youth Response
The Northern Elders Forum condemned what it labeled an ongoing genocide, attributing it to failed governance and systemic negligence. Spokesman Prof. Abubakar Jiddere decried the lawlessness and urged immediate federal action.
“Benue is an essential food basket under siege. Its people are dying while the state infrastructure collapses and leadership dithers,” the forum stated.
Meanwhile, the Concerned Christian Youth Forum echoed calls for urgent action. Its convener, James Adama, encouraged young people to stay alert and push for community safety.
“This carnage is unspeakable. We’ve failed our people, but we must act now. Peace and justice can’t wait,” the group said.
