President Bola Tinubu has directed Nigeria’s security chiefs to urgently enforce his earlier mandate aimed at restoring peace and stability to Benue State following renewed violence in the region.
The president gave the fresh directive after reports of deadly reprisal attacks that claimed multiple lives across local communities.
The directive was made in a statement issued on Saturday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
In response, top intelligence officers, military personnel, and police operatives have been deployed to the state to coordinate security operations and restore order.
President Tinubu also urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to urgently initiate reconciliation efforts and peace dialogues among the affected communities, particularly between farmers, herders, and other local groups.
Describing the ongoing killings as “inhuman and anti-progress,” the president condemned the bloodshed and warned political and community leaders against making inflammatory statements capable of escalating tensions.
“The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough,” Tinubu said.
He stressed that all those responsible for the violence—regardless of which side of the conflict they belong to—must be arrested and prosecuted.
“This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue,” Tinubu added. “Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are addressed with fairness, openness, and justice.”