The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Taraba State chapter, has lauded President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State. However, it emphasized that the gesture must translate into meaningful and urgent action to address the ongoing violence. In a statement released on Friday in Jalingo, the state CAN Chairman, Rev. Fr. Williams Awoshiri, decried the persistent bloodshed affecting innocent civilians, including women, children, and the elderly. He described the continuous loss of lives as a grave moral failure and a reflection of the government’s inability to fulfill its fundamental duty of protecting its citizens. The statement underscored that the president’s visit should not merely be symbolic but should lead to substantial outcomes. “This cannot remain a public show of sympathy,” the statement stressed. “What Nigerians need right now is deliberate, determined, and consistent measures to end the reign of terror.” CAN implored President Tinubu, military leadership, and relevant government agencies to move swiftly with strategic interventions to halt the killings. “These criminals causing chaos in our communities are not beyond the strength, intelligence, and capability of the Nigerian government,” the group stated. CAN warned that inaction or mere verbal condemnations would no longer be tolerated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. “Silence and delays are unacceptable. The cries of the innocent are rising, and history will remember how each of us responded in this critical moment,” CAN asserted. The organization extended heartfelt support to the people and government of Benue State, offering prayers for the affected families and those nursing injuries. “We pray for divine strength for those who have lost loved ones and for quick healing for the injured. Enough is enough,” said Rev. Awoshiri.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mandated the inclusion of all former governors of Benue State, as well as the sitting Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, in the newly formed Benue Committee of Elders. This development was made known on Wednesday through a post shared by Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. Providing details from President Tinubu’s directive, Sunday Dare—who was part of the presidential team that visited communities affected by the most recent tragic attacks—disclosed that the President had instructed Governor Hyacinth Alia to embrace all key players in the state. Tinubu advised Alia to adopt a non-partisan and inclusive approach, acting as a father figure to every citizen of the state, regardless of political affiliations or ethnic backgrounds. Additionally, President Tinubu encouraged the Benue populace to unite and support government efforts to achieve enduring peace in the region. The directive follows a devastating attack in Yelewata village, where over 200 individuals lost their lives, with many others suffering injuries and forced displacement. The President stressed the critical role that traditional rulers must play in restoring peace. He emphasized their collaboration with the Benue State Government in sustaining law and order. Furthermore, he urged Governor Alia to allocate land specifically for ranching, identifying it as a solution to one of the main factors fueling the prolonged conflict. According to Tinubu, the restructured Benue Elders Committee, now expanded to include all previous state governors and Governor Sule of Nasarawa, will serve as a vital advisory and mediatory body to strengthen the peacebuilding process in the state.
