Stakeholders demand battalion, others as Tinubu visits

Some stakeholders in Benue State, including residents and interest groups, yesterday made some demands following the recent attacks that left many people dead and property destroyed.

They were condemned the recent attack that claimed over 100 lives in the Yelewata community of Guma Local Government Area of the state.

The stakeholders voiced out yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital, ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the state today.

The president is visiting the state to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed many lives and caused significant destruction.

The stakeholders called on the president to go beyond condolence and take decisive steps to address the persistent security crisis plaguing Benue communities.

They are, among other things, demanding deployment of a military battalion to protect Benue communities, establishment of a special intervention fund and provision of equipment needed to track and prosecute the attackers.

The attack, which was launched on Saturday, has elicited outrage from within and outside of Nigeria.

A civil society organisation, Takuluku Anyam Azenga Advocacy Organisation, yesterday urged the federal government to take immediate steps to halt what it described as genocide against the Benue people.

At a press conference in Makurdi yesterday, the convener of the group, Bem Ugoh, expressed deep concern over the rising spate of attacks on communities in Benue State, particularly those populated by the Tiv ethnic group.

He condemned the recent attacks on Tiv communities in Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa States, describing them as a “full-blown war aimed at the ethnic cleansing of the Tiv people.”

Ugoh said the group was demanding justice, protection and rehabilitation of affected communities.

He called for strengthening of security agencies to ensure full implementation of the Anti-Open Grazing Law.

He also appealed to the federal government to provide support for the survivors of the attacks, and prioritise rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement of displaced persons.

The Benue NGO Network (BENGONET) and the Civil Society Organisations Bloc (CSO-B) also convened a joint press conference after their emergency meeting in Makurdi yesterday.

They decried the escalating insecurity in the state, claiming that over 712 people had died in conflict-related incidents in the state since January.

Laz Mom, who spoke on behalf of the coalitions, urged the federal government to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to Benue as he disclosed that more than 180,000 people had been displaced within the first half of the year, many of whom were living in informal settlements under dire conditions.

“These acts are not only inhumane but a direct affront to our shared constitutional values of peace, security, and human dignity,” he said.

The groups also condemned the use of force by security personnel against peaceful protesters in Makurdi on June 15, saying the protest, which was organised in response to the Yelwata killings, was reportedly peaceful and lawful.

They noted that security agents allegedly dispersed protesters with teargas, intimidation and arbitrary arrests.

The coalition demanded immediate and unconditional release of all detained protesters and reaffirmed their commitment to peaceful and non-violent advocacy.

They also called for justice and accountability, urging the Nigeria Police Force and relevant security agencies to arrest and prosecute those behind the Yelwata massacre and similar attacks. They advocated a community-based security approach, including community policing, to enhance intelligence gathering and early warning systems that can prevent future violence.

The coalition rejected calls for a state of emergency in Benue State, describing it as a distraction and an undemocratic move.

“A state of emergency is not a solution – it is a veiled attempt to suspend democratic governance and impose external control over our affairs,” the groups said.

They called for unity among political leaders and communities to collectively confront the worsening security situation as they reaffirmed their backing for the existing state anti-grazing law and urged the state government to strengthen its enforcement and address implementation gaps.

They also appealed to state and federal authorities, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency and international agencies to scale up humanitarian aid for displaced persons.

They also called for a formal interface with the state government on peacebuilding and development programming.

For his own part, the president of the Lawyers Alert, Rommy Mom, in a statement, urged President Tinubu to deploy “a military battalion to protect Benue communities, establish a special intervention fund and provide the tools, vehicles, intelligence, and equipment, needed to track and prosecute these perpetrators of this heinous crimes.”

He added: “There are no warring factions, Benue’s citizens are under siege by organised and well-armed marauders carrying out what amounts to ethnic cleansing and land grabbing. This is not communal conflict. It is genocide.”

Benue Assembly seeks Tinubu’s support for anti-grazing law

The Benue State House of Assembly yesterday appealed to President Tinubu to support the full implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches (Establishment) Law, 2017, of the state.

It also called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to ensure full implementation of the grazing law to end killings of innocent people “orchestrated by the armed herdsmen” in various parts of the state.

The lawmakers, who were dressed in black attires at the Tuesday’s plenary, condemned what they termed as the coordinated invasion, massacre, genocide and acts of terrorism against the people of Yelewata and elsewhere in the state.

The House requested the governor to declare three days of mourning from today to Friday in honour of the innocent victims.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by the member representing Guma 1 State Constituency, Uche Terwase Peter, who spoke on the destruction of property and killings in his Yelewata constituent.

Peter alleged that the marauding herders used sophisticated weapons (including explosives) and fuel to set houses ablaze where some nuclear and extended families of between five to ten members have been completely wiped out.

Other lawmakers, in their contributions, condemned the recent attacks and called on the governor to urgently take decisive action to bring a lasting solution to the crisis.

They also urged the people of Benue to remain vigilant and be prepared to defend themselves within the bounds of the law in order to safeguard their lives and property.

Governor Alia, according to a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, said today’s visit by President Tinubu was a significant show of concern and support for the grieving communities.

He expressed confidence that the visit would reinforce the commitment of the federal government to restoring lasting peace and security in all troubled parts of the state.

“The president’s visit, coming in the wake of the horrific terrorist attack on Yelewata, where countless innocent lives were lost in a brutal assault by armed herdsmen, is a profound gesture of solidarity and compassion.

“It depicts the president’s concern and readiness to take a bold step in the face of worsening insecurity threatening the peace, dignity and existence of our farming communities.

“We are fully prepared to receive Mr. President. The visit represents not only a moment of national empathy, but a rare opportunity to directly interface with the Presidency on urgent security interventions needed to end the persistent killings and displacement of our people.

“If there is any state in the country that needs absolute peace, that state is Benue. This is because, as the ‘Food Basket of the Nation,’ Benue deserves peace, protection, and justice.

“As we invite all stakeholders to get ready to welcome and interface with Mr. President, we equally urge our people to remain calm, law-abiding, and prayerful as we receive the number one citizen of our great country,” the governor stated.

Alia’s aide withdraws memo on colourful procession for Tinubu’s visit

The Senior Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Special Groups Mobilisation, Francis Ngutswen, yesterday issued a public apology and withdrew a letter calling for a colourful procession to welcome President Tinubu to the state.

Ngutswen had earlier directed registered support groups to mobilise in colourful attires for a grand welcome of the president, stating it was at the instance of Governor Hyacinth Alia.

In the letter, he had said the support groups were required to participate in a “colourful shoulder-to-shoulder spread/procession from the airport to Wurukum Roundabout and down to Government House, Makurdi,” where President Tinubu is expected to hold a town hall meeting.

The announcement had triggered a public outcry on social media with many viewing it as insensitive.

Reacting to the backlash, Ngutswen wrote: “My dear good people of Benue State, I write to sincerely apologise for the misinformation issued on social media regarding  dress code for tomorrow’s presidential visit to Benue State.

“Tomorrow’s event is not political and no one intends to make it a rally.  My deepest apologies for the incorrect or confusing guidance. I recognise the importance of clear and accurate communication.

“I acknowledge that this confusion have already caused inconvenience or discomfort, and I am committed to ensuring that such misunderstandings do not happen again.

“Moving forward, I will review every communication processes to improve accuracy and clarity.

“Benue State is yoked with pains and my action wasn’t meant to add salt to our injury. We are in mourning and our appearance will reflect our mood, hence, black attire.

“Thank you for your understanding and forgiveness. I appreciate your continued support.”

‘Tinubu’s visit must end Benue crisis’

A retired senior officer of the Department of State Services (DSS), Orgem Angulum, has expressed hope that President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State will lead to a meaningful change in addressing the persistent insecurity in the state.

Angulum said the president’s visit to various communities affected by attacks should not be symbolic, but must result in concrete actions.

“The president’s visit is highly welcome, though long overdue. As he comes, he must ensure that this insecurity challenge is addressed once and for all, so that displaced persons can return to their ancestral homes and resume normal life.

He said, “Any delay means we are raising a generation of children who will never know peace or love. These children, born and raised in IDP camps, may grow up to become a threat to society in a different form as they struggle to survive.”

To ensure sustainable peace, Angulum advised the federal government to establish Forward Operational Bases (FOBs) in vulnerable communities, saying such military presence would provide adequate protection for returnees and help prevent future attacks.

“The government must not only relocate people back to their homes but also guarantee their safety through permanent military presence,” he added.

According to him, this moment offers President Tinubu an opportunity to make a lasting impact and restore peace to one of Nigeria’s most troubled states.