President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Benue State on Wednesday in a show of solidarity with the grieving communities affected by the recent killings in Yelwata, located in Guma Local Government Area. The violent incident, which claimed hundreds of lives, drew nationwide condemnation and concern over the region’s security. During his visit, President Tinubu engaged with major stakeholders in the state to discuss actionable responses and to offer federal support in addressing the escalating conflict. Presidential Orders and Appeals During the Benue Visit In a decisive response to the security crisis, President Tinubu issued several directives during a town hall meeting with the Benue State Governor and high-ranking security officials: The visit by the President has been viewed as a significant gesture of empathy and responsibility, with citizens hoping that the directives will translate into practical steps towards ending the cycle of violence in the state.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his intervention and prompt visit to Benue State, aimed at fostering peace and stability in the troubled region. In an official statement released on Wednesday in Abuja, the association’s National President, Alhaji Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, praised the President’s decisive move and extended gratitude to federal authorities and security forces for their swift actions in quelling tensions in the affected communities. “We sincerely appreciate President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for his immediate intervention and personal visit to Benue,” the statement read. “We also acknowledge his bold stance in encouraging both political and traditional leadership in Benue to embrace peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding.” Othman-Ngelzarma emphasized that this gesture is expected to contribute significantly to restoring enduring peace not only in Benue but across the country. He offered heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian government, the people of Benue, and all affected citizens nationwide for the tragic loss of lives and destruction of properties in the wake of recent conflicts. Speaking on behalf of MACBAN, Othman-Ngelzarma reaffirmed the group’s dedication to national unity and peaceful living among Nigeria’s diverse ethnicities. “As the national body representing Fulani cattle breeders, MACBAN stands firmly for peace and harmonious relationships among the over 300 ethnic groups in Nigeria,” he stated. He also reiterated that as a key contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the cattle-rearing sector has a vested interest in national unity and stability. Furthermore, the MACBAN president urged political, religious, and community leaders to encourage reconciliation and collaboration between farming communities and pastoralist groups in the state. He stressed the need to put an end to rhetoric that fuels division and undermines national cohesion. “We call on all stakeholders—traditional, political, and religious—to stop propagating narratives that trigger disunity and instead promote mutual tolerance,” he concluded.
