President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday visited Benue State to commiserate with victims of deadly attacks by armed herders and assured residents of the federal government’s commitment to restoring peace and security.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement in Makurdi, the state capital, Tinubu pledged his support for Governor Hyacinth Alia and urged a collaborative effort among Benue’s political leaders to find lasting solutions to the long-standing herder-farmer conflict.
Addressing a gathering of former governors, traditional rulers, political leaders, and party stakeholders, the President emphasised the need for unity and reconciliation in the face of the state’s security crisis.
“We have to find solutions to this. What’s the cause of the conflict?” Tinubu asked. “I heard it’s about land-grabbing, but if we learn how to share and how to accommodate, we have enough land to feed, to raise our children, to cultivate happiness and prosperity. We must do it.”
The President urged Governor Alia to work closely with his predecessors and local leaders across political divides to resolve the crisis that has claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands.
His visit followed renewed attacks on several communities in the state, which have sparked outrage and heightened tensions across the region.
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Residents and civil society groups have repeatedly called for decisive federal intervention.
While acknowledging the depth of the challenges facing Benue, Tinubu reassured the people that his administration was determined to bring an end to the violence and ensure justice for victims.
“Our hearts are with the people of Benue,” he said. “You are not alone in this. We will do everything necessary to ensure peace and stability return to this great state.”
The President’s visit is seen as a major step in reinforcing federal commitment to addressing the security crisis in the North Central region.