President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is making a high-level visit to Benue State in response to the spate of brutal killings that have rocked the North-Central region, sparking national outrage and international concern. The President, accompanied by the National Security Adviser, service chiefs, and key cabinet members, assured the people of Benue that justice will be served and that a comprehensive security overhaul is underway.
This marks the President’s second on-ground intervention in a conflict-affected region within two months, a move political observers interpret as a sign of increasing presidential responsiveness to grassroots insecurity.
“Enough is Enough” — Tinubu Declares
Speaking from the Government House in Makurdi after meeting Governor Hyacinth Alia, traditional rulers, and religious leaders, President Tinubu condemned the killings as “savage, unacceptable, and a stain on our collective humanity.”
“Nigeria cannot—and will not—tolerate the persistent massacre of innocent civilians. Those behind these atrocities will be hunted down, brought to justice, and the full force of the law will be applied without compromise,” the President declared.
He assured the community of immediate military and intelligence reinforcement in Benue, including a coordinated operation involving the Nigerian Army, DSS, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), with a focus on the Guma, Logo, and Ukum local government areas worst hit by recent attacks.
Background: A Perennial Bloodbath
Benue State, often dubbed the “Food Basket of the Nation,” has been plagued by deadly attacks largely blamed on suspected armed herdsmen, bandits, and criminal militias. Over the past three months, more than 400 civilians have reportedly been killed, and hundreds displaced in what the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi recently termed “an ethnic cleansing campaign.”
A report by Global Rights Nigeria shows that Benue recorded the highest number of violent deaths in the first quarter of 2025, surpassing even Borno and Zamfara States. In a sharp rebuke, international voices including the Vatican, through Pope Francis, expressed concern over the government’s perceived inaction.
“The blood of Benue cries louder than ever. We must defend our people, our land, and our dignity,” said Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi.
Security Audit and Accountability
President Tinubu announced that a full audit of deployed military units in the region will be conducted, amid growing public concern over compromised soldiers and the previous administration’s integration of so-called “repentant terrorists” into the Nigerian Army.
“We cannot afford moral confusion in our armed forces. Loyalty to Nigeria must be total, uncompromised, and unwavering,” Tinubu added.
Security analysts have long warned of infiltration and collusion among some rogue military elements, leading to calls by civil society and ethnic-based defense groups for a military purge and localized security architecture.
Engagement With Victims and Stakeholders
During his visit, the President also met with survivors and displaced families at the IDP camp in Daudu, where he personally pledged ₦5 billion in immediate relief support and the establishment of a special commission to investigate the root causes of land-based conflicts in the Middle Belt.
Governor Hyacinth Alia welcomed the visit, describing it as “a major step in rebuilding confidence in national leadership and healing the scars of years of neglect.”
Quote of the Day
“This is not just about Benue—it’s about the soul of Nigeria. If we cannot protect the most vulnerable, then we have failed in our covenant as a nation.”
— Princess Gloria Adebajo-Fraser, MFR, Governance Consultant and Founder, National Patriots
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s visit may mark a turning point in the government’s approach to security in the Middle Belt. But Nigerians—and the world—are watching not just for presidential rhetoric, but for actionable results. With tensions high and trust in state institutions wavering, only justice and sustained peace will silence the guns in Benue.
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report.
