Tinubu Vows to Tackle Land-Grabbing Crisis Behind Benue Killings

MAKURDI, Nigeria — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to address the issue of land-grabbing, which is suspected to be at the root of the recurrent killings by suspected armed herdsmen in Benue State, head-on.

During his visit to Benue State following the gruesome massacre of more than 200 individuals at Yelwata last Friday, Tinubu emphasized his administration’s readiness to bring peace to the region. He also announced the creation of a peace-seeking committee comprising former state governors and two influential traditional rulers.

The violent attacks left several homes burnt and displaced hundreds of residents, many of whom have now found refuge in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

While speaking at a town hall meeting in Makurdi, the President stressed that he came to listen to the people and help them find lasting peace, calling it essential for development.

“We were not elected to conduct burials or raise orphans. We are here to foster peace,” Tinubu declared. “If this is about land-grabbing, we must confront it. Nigeria has enough land for everyone. We need to share, coexist, and foster joy and prosperity. That’s the path to lasting peace.”

He referenced Nigeria’s national anthem to reinforce unity: “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.”

Formation of Peace Committee

Tinubu directed the establishment of a committee of elders to propose a sustainable solution to the conflict. This committee, he said, would include former state governors, non-indigenes, and the paramount rulers of the Tiv and Idoma communities — the Tor Tiv and the Och’Idoma.

“Let us set up a strong council of elders. I will invest in peace. We will turn this challenge into progress,” Tinubu said, stating that the group would convene in Abuja.

Before the town hall, Tinubu visited the survivors of the Yelwata massacre who are receiving treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.

“Though I couldn’t reach Yelwata due to rain and poor roads, I reviewed the damage through video footage. We will rehabilitate and rebuild that area.”

The President demanded answers from the Inspector General of Police on the failure to make arrests.

“Why haven’t any of the killers been arrested? IGP, where are the arrests? These criminals must face justice,” Tinubu ordered.

He also tasked the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) with intensifying surveillance and collecting actionable intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators.

Local Leaders React

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue thanked President Tinubu for being the first sitting president to visit the state in response to insecurity.

“Your visit, despite our tears and pain, gives us hope. We believe this is the beginning of true peace for our people,” he said.

Governor Alia also advocated for the creation of state police, suggesting that the Federal Government should work out an implementation framework to alleviate concerns about the idea.

Tor Tiv, HRM Orchivirigh Prof James Ayatse, made an emotional appeal to the President, urging him to address the real cause of the crisis.

“This is not a farmer-herder clash. It is a deliberate, well-orchestrated genocide and land takeover by herder-terrorists,” the monarch said. He warned that politicizing the crisis had hindered effective response and accused some politicians of hoping the situation would worsen for political gains.

“All we ask is for peace in Benue, so our people can return to farming and feed the nation.”

He referenced Tinubu’s past success in resolving similar crises in Kwara’s Kaiama and expressed confidence in his ability to replicate such resolution in Benue.

Humanitarian Crisis in Nasarawa

Following the Yelwata massacre, over 3,000 displaced persons have sought refuge in Nasarawa State. They are now scattered across four IDP camps: Kadarko, Agyaragu, Idadu, and Kpata.

Mr. Benjamin Akwash, Director-General of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), confirmed the development, revealing the agency had already distributed relief materials to some of the victims prior to the attack.

According to him, the IDP population includes:

• Idadu: 462 persons
• Kpata: 521 persons
• Agyaragu (Lafia LGA): Over 1,800 individuals at St. John Primary School
• Kadarko (Keana LGA): Over 40 individuals

Akwash added that the agency was still compiling accurate headcounts to finalize plans for further distribution of aid.

An assessment of the camps revealed dire conditions, particularly in Agyaragu, where women and children sleep on bare floors and lack access to food and medical care.

“We left everything behind because of this brutal attack,” lamented Mary Iyorhe, an IDP at Agyaragu.

Other displaced women shared their plight, complaining about hunger, poor sanitation, and mosquito infestations, which have prevented them from sleeping.