President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has publicly rebuked the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the failure of the Nigeria Police Force to arrest perpetrators of the recent deadly attacks in Benue State.
Speaking during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi on Wednesday, President Tinubu expressed strong displeasure at the lack of tangible results from security operatives following the gruesome killings of over 100 residents in Yelwata, a community in Guma Local Government Area.
“Police — I’m referring to the IGP — I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,” Tinubu stated in a stern tone.
The President’s comment comes amid growing outrage and sorrow across the country following repeated attacks by suspected armed herders in the North-Central state.
Tinubu further charged the country’s service chiefs, including Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and heads of the Air Force, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), and Department of State Services (DSS), to intensify their operations and ensure such tragedies do not recur.
“Christopher, you have given much. I watch your comments — you can’t be tired of staying in the bush,” Tinubu said.
“Oloyede and the Air Marshal, we thank all of you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals, let’s get them out. DG NIA, DG DSS, retool your information channels and let’s have tangible intelligence so that this will not occur again.”
The President’s visit to Makurdi followed a fresh wave of killings in Benue, where entire communities have been razed, and hundreds of people displaced in what local leaders have described as a “calculated genocide.”
In his remarks at the meeting, Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia appealed to the federal government to approve the establishment of a state police system and a special intervention fund to bolster security efforts in the state.
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“These killings are systematic and targeted. The establishment of state police is critical in the fight against this insurgency, and we need special support to restore normalcy and rebuild affected communities,” Governor Alia said.
The Governor’s call adds to the growing national conversation around state policing as a viable solution to Nigeria’s worsening internal security challenges.
President Tinubu had earlier met with traditional rulers, former governors, and key stakeholders during his visit, assuring them of his administration’s full commitment to achieving lasting peace and stability in Benue and across the Middle Belt region.