President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has established a high-powered peace committee comprising former governors, traditional rulers, and federal officials to address the escalating violence in Benue State, following a deadly attack in the Yelewata community that reportedly claimed nearly 200 lives.
The initiative was announced on Wednesday during a town hall meeting held at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi. The meeting followed a brutal assault last Friday by suspected armed herders in Guma Local Government Area.
Among those appointed to the peace committee are former military governor Gen. Atom Kpera (rtd.), ex-Governors George Akume, Gabriel Suswam, and Samuel Ortom. Also named were Tiv monarch HRM Prof. James Ayatse and Och’Idoma, HRM Dr. John Elaigwu.
President Tinubu urged Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to lead the committee’s efforts, underscoring the need for inclusive governance and cooperation with residents and non-indigenous communities.
“We must work together to secure lasting peace. I am ready to invest in that peace, and I assure you this tragedy will be turned into an opportunity for renewal,” Tinubu told Governor Alia.
Present at the meeting were the governors of Nasarawa, Kogi, Kwara, Plateau, Ondo, and Imo states, as well as traditional leaders and federal cabinet members.
Calling for cooperation between Benue and its neighboring states, Tinubu said, “Let’s create a regional synergy for peace and prosperity. We are elected to govern, not to bury our citizens.”
The President also issued a directive to Nigeria’s top security officials including the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa to apprehend those responsible for the massacre. Expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of arrests, he said, “I want action, not excuses. Let’s get those behind this tragedy.”
The violence, which erupted in Yelewata late Friday, was one of the worst in the state’s recent history. Eyewitnesses and rights groups report that dozens of homes were torched, leaving hundreds of people injured or displaced. Many of the victims were already displaced persons seeking refuge in the area.
Pope Francis acknowledged the incident during his Sunday address, describing it as a “terrible massacre.”
Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have labeled the incident part of a recurring cycle of unchecked violence, blaming the situation on weak governance and systemic failures.
President Tinubu also instructed the heads of Nigeria’s intelligence services to enhance their operations. “Retool your systems and deliver actionable intelligence. This must not happen again,” he said.
To support survivors, the President called for nationwide blood donations and promised federal backing for medical and humanitarian assistance. He also encouraged Governor Alia to allocate land for ranching, with follow-up from the Agriculture Ministry.
During the meeting, Governor Alia requested the creation of a Special Intervention Fund for communities ravaged by years of violence. He stated that the fund would help rebuild damaged infrastructure, assist displaced persons, and revitalize agricultural activity.
“We are trying to rebuild from the ashes. Our farmers need to return to their land. We need help,” Alia said.
The Tor Tiv, HRM Prof. James Ayatse, in a passionate address, disputed popular narratives of the conflict. “This is not a clash. This is a systematic, genocidal campaign. Our land is under siege,” he said, calling for a stronger federal response and urging the President to intervene decisively.
He also condemned local political actors allegedly exploiting the crisis for personal or political gain. “Those hoping for a state of emergency for selfish reasons are enemies of Benue,” the monarch warned.
The Northern Elders Forum issued a statement on Wednesday, denouncing the killings as genocide and a failure of state responsibility. Spokesman Prof. Abubakar Jiddere accused the government of allowing impunity to flourish, resulting in catastrophic consequences for a state critical to Nigeria’s food security.
In a separate statement, the Concerned Christian Youth Forum called for calm among youths and urged leaders to act decisively. “The suffering in Benue is indescribable. We need justice, peace, and accountability,” said the group’s convener, James Adama.
President Tinubu concluded his visit by expressing sorrow over the tragedy. “I came to celebrate development, not to mourn. But peace must come before progress,” he said. “The value of human life is greater than that of cattle. We must act accordingly.”
