PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to Benue State.
President Tinubu renewed his order in the wake of the latest round of reprisal attacks that led to the death of many people.
On the president’s directive, intelligence chiefs, the police and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity.
President Tinubu has equally charged the governor of Benue State with convening reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to end the incessant bloodshed and bring lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and communities.
Describing the killings and bloodletting as inhuman and anti-progress, President Tinubu called on political leaders and community leaders in conflict areas to stop fuelling the crisis through unguarded utterances and statements that could further inflame tensions.
They should also rein in those who go out to cause provocations and ignite reprisal attacks.
“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.
“I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them.
“Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.
“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.”
Another Fresh Attack
In another unfortunate development, Governor Hyacinth Alia on Sunday confirmed the killing of 59 persons at Yelewata, where suspected gunmen from Nasarawa State attacked the border town.
Addressing journalists at the Government House, Alia said the figures are based on physical headcounts by security agencies working with families of those killed.
Among those killed were military and civil defence personnel who fought to defend Yelewata against the attacks.
Governor Alia also gave some credit to his Nasarawa State counterpart, Abdullahi Sule, who shared some intelligence on the killings which also left one woman dead on the Nasarawa axis
The governor gave the details when he received a report from the panel of inquiry on the militia activities in the Sankera axis and pledged to commit to the appropriate authority and investigate the persons indicated in the report to ensure peace returned to Sankera.