PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has arrived in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, ahead of his visit to the Yelwata community, in the Guma Local Government Area of the state.
Tinubu arrived at the Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi, at about 12:58 pm.
The state government declared a public holiday for the visit.
The President is expected to meet with major stakeholders in the state in view of the violent attacks that have led to the loss of lives.
Tinubu is expected to meet with families of victims, displaced and injured persons, and community leaders directly impacted by the violence.
He is also expected to meet with political, religious and traditional leaders at the Banquet Hall of the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, where he will preside over a major town hall meeting with critical stakeholders.
The meeting is part of a broader effort to find a lasting solution to the crisis that has affected parts of the state, especially rural communities.
Expected at the meeting are key national and state-level figures, including the state governor, Hyacinth Alia; governors from across the country, particularly from the North-Central states; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume.
Also expected to attend are service chiefs, key members of the National Assembly, leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and other prominent individuals, especially those representing affected communities in Benue.
Other high-profile attendees include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), and key members of the National Assembly, especially those representing affected communities in Benue.
Traditional rulers from various ethnic groups within Benue are also expected at the meeting, given their crucial role in conflict resolution and community mobilization. The state’s complex ethnic and religious diversity makes their input vital in any lasting peace initiative.
The executive chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas in Benue, the Elders’ Council, and members of the Benue State House of Assembly are expected to be present.
Gunmen last Friday, attacked the Yelwata community, leading to the death of at least 59 residents and the displacement of over 3,000 others.
Youths protesting the killings in Benue
The killings were also condemned by prominent individuals, including the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV; and major opposition leaders.
Following the directive of the President, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Tuesday directed military commanders to go after those behind the renewed spate of killings in Benue State.
“We must find out where they are. We must go after them. And that’s the directive I’m giving my commanders.
“We have had some areas where we think they are holding up, where they are gathering. We’re going to go after them so that we can dislodge them. We shouldn’t wait until they come to attack people,” General Musa said during a meeting with traditional rulers in Makurdi, the state capital.