NIGERIA: President Tinubu Orders Security Chiefs To Enforce Peace In Benue, Urges Governor Alia To Lead Reconciliation

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s security chiefs to fully implement his earlier directive aimed at restoring peace and stability to Benue State following a renewed wave of violence and reprisal killings.

This was contained in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Sunday.

The President, deeply troubled by reports of fresh attacks that claimed several lives, ordered the immediate deployment of intelligence chiefs, the police, and the military to Benue State to oversee security operations and bring the situation under control.

President Tinubu also tasked Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State with urgently convening reconciliation meetings and initiating dialogue among warring groups. He said this is crucial to halting the cycle of bloodshed and fostering peaceful coexistence among farmers, herders, and affected communities.

Describing the killings as “inhuman and anti-progress,” the President called on political and community leaders to desist from making inflammatory remarks capable of escalating the crisis. He urged them to calm tensions and discourage provocations that could lead to further violence.

“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,” Tinubu said.

He emphasized that perpetrators on all sides of the conflict must be arrested and prosecuted, warning that irresponsible utterances from leaders could worsen the fragile peace.

“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. 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 President said.