In a decisive move to stem the escalating wave of violence in Benue State, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the deployment of special security forces comprising the military, police, and intelligence agencies. The action follows the killing of over 200 people, including women, children, and security personnel, in coordinated attacks by suspected terrorists in Yelewata and Daudu communities of Guma Local Government Area.
The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the killings as “very depressing” and urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to urgently initiate a peace and reconciliation process among aggrieved groups. “Enough is now enough,” Tinubu declared, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace and ensuring justice.
The governor confirmed the arrival of tactical squads, saying the deployments would target vulnerable areas, with ongoing dialogue involving community leaders and traditional rulers to bolster intelligence sharing and peacebuilding efforts.
Angry youths took to the streets in Makurdi on Sunday under the banner #StopBenueKillings, blocking major roads and demanding urgent action. The protests turned tense as police operatives fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, despite appeals for calm by Benue State Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, and activist Very Dark Man, who joined in clearing road barricades.
The protests were fueled by claims that federal and state authorities ignored prior warnings and intelligence about the attacks. Youth leader Brahms Ikuan accused the government of silence in the face of a “genocide,” saying, “We are not sure if there will be any place called Benue tomorrow.”
Pope Leo XIV, in his Sunday Angelus, offered special prayers for the Christian rural communities of Benue, calling for peace and justice. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), northern chapter, urged the government to declare total war on the attackers without suspending democratic structures.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar condemned the carnage, labeling it a national emergency and urging an immediate investigation, compensation for victims, and meaningful dialogue. Former Governor Gabriel Suswam called for collective action over blame games.
Despite public outcry, Commissioner Ifeanyi assured citizens that tactical teams were actively engaging the attackers and restoring order. He called on the public to support the operations, stating, “We have already cut the head of the snake.”
The violence, blamed largely on criminal herders and exacerbated by the weakening of the state’s anti-open grazing law, has triggered widespread fears and calls for firmer federal action. Observers warn that unless proactive measures are taken, the region risks deeper instability and humanitarian crisis.
