President Bola Tinubu has issued a stern directive to Nigeria’s security agencies, demanding immediate and decisive action to restore peace in violence-hit regions, with a specific focus on Benue State.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President also charged Governor Hyacinth Alia with the urgent task of initiating reconciliation meetings among warring factions in the state.
Tinubu called on the governor to bring together farmers, herders, and affected local communities for dialogue aimed at ending the recurring cycle of violence and promoting peaceful coexistence.
“The purpose of this is to end the cycle of violence and foster peaceful coexistence,” the President was quoted as saying.
Describing the recent killings in Benue as “inhuman and anti-progress,” Tinubu condemned the bloodshed and urged political and community leaders to avoid inflammatory remarks and provocative actions that could worsen the situation.
“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,” he said.
He revealed that he had directed security agencies to “act decisively” by arresting and prosecuting perpetrators from all sides of the conflict.
President Tinubu also appealed for a united front in peacebuilding efforts, emphasizing the role of leadership in fostering unity.
“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,” the statement read. “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 presidential directive comes amid renewed violence in Benue, which has led to loss of lives and heightened tensions across communities.
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