From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja and Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

President Tinubu, who spoke in Makurdi, yesterday, during his visit to condole with Benue people, especially those of Yelewata community, emphasised the need for unity, sincere leadership and actionable peace strategies.

At a Town Hall meeting, he stressed his commitment to address the incessant attacks, killings and displacements of communities in the state.

He, however, expressed shock that perpetrators of the gruesome killings have not been arrested and therefore ordered security agencies to do their work and ensure those responsible for the heinous crimes were apprehended and brought to book.

He said: “Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be arrests of those criminals.”

While commending the military high command for their efforts, he pressed for increased vigilance and coordination on the ground.

“Christopher (Chief of Defence Staff), thank you very much. I watched your comments. I know you can’t be tired of staying in the bush, including Oluyede Chief of Army Staff and the Air Marshal. Thanks to all of you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals, let’s get them out.”

Tinubu also charged the heads of intelligence agencies to strengthen their surveillance and intelligence gathering:

“DG NIA and DG DSS, retool your information channels and let’s have tangible intelligence that this will not occur again.”

In the wake of the tragedy, President Tinubu had directed Governor Hyacinth Alia to immediately form an inclusive peace committee to restore calm and foster lasting peace in the state.

He restated his call on Governor Hyacinth Alia to work with all stakeholders to ensure the required peaceful atmosphere for peace and stability in the state. He emphasised that the committee must include all stakeholders – former governors, traditional rulers such as the Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma, religious leaders, and non-indigenes.

“Let’s establish a committee of leaders. We cannot do without one another. Whatever we need to do, I will want us—this leadership committee now—we’ll meet in Abuja to really fashion out the nucleus of a lasting peace, and I’m ready to invest in that peace.”

Highlighting the importance of regional cooperation, he called for synergy with neighbouring Nasarawa State. “The governor of Nasarawa is here and the governor of Benue is here, let’s create that synergy for peace, development, and prosperity. We’re here to govern, not to bury. We’re here to raise families, not to lose some.”

On the need for Governor Alia to work with all stakeholders to ensure the required peaceful atmosphere, he stated: “We are here to help you with peace to fast-track development. You, as governor, was elected under the progressive banner to ensure peace, stability and progress so that we can commission projects.

“We shall not continue to bury people from ages to ages, breed orphans and widows. We are here to assist you achieve peace. It is you who will work with us as well to show us the way because politics is local.”

He appealed to the governor to announce in a broadcast that people should donate more blood to victims at the hospital and thanked the hospital management for their efforts even as he promised to find solutions to the killings.

“We have heard about land grabbing but we should learn how to share and accommodate because we have enough land to feed and raise our children for the sake of happiness and prosperity,” he advised.

Governor Alia noted that the attacks have persisted for over a decade and expressed hope that the President’s visit would bring an end to the security challenges.

He urged the Federal Government to consider establishing a special intervention fund for communities affected by the attacks, stressing that such a fund would support the rehabilitation of displaced persons, help rebuild destroyed infrastructure and restore the livelihoods of farmers and families.

He also called for the establishment of state police across the country, insisting that this will serve as a sustainable solution to the persistent insecurity and killings in Benue State.

“Let me also reiterate my firm support for the establishment of state police as a sustainable solution to the persistent insecurity in our state and perhaps elsewhere.

“While acknowledging other concerns surrounding its implementation, I believe the Federal Government can address these by setting clear state specific guidelines and regulatory frameworks to prevent any potential.”

The opposition Labour Party (LP) in Benue State commended the President for his visit and condolence to the state.

The party through its state Publicity Secretary, Tersoo Orbunde said: “We from the Labor Party commend the president for the visit. We cried and he heard and responded. Even if it is not swiftly