Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has declared Wednesday, a public holiday to welcome President Bola Tinubu who is visiting the state following a deadly attack that left many residents dead and several others displaced.

The announcement was made in a statement on Tuesday by the secretary to the State Government, Joseph Alakali.

He said, “His Excellency, Rev Fr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Executive Governor of Benue State, has declared Wednesday, 19th June 2025, as work-free day. This is to enable the people of the state accord the President a rousing welcome. All Benue residents are enjoined to come out en masse to give Mr President a rousing welcome.”

Alakali added that those on essential services were exempted from the work-free day.

Tinubu is expected in Benue to commiserate with the people and hold a town hall meeting with stakeholders over the killings that occurred last week in Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area.

No fewer than 59 persons were confirmed killed in the attack.

Survivors said gunmen stormed the area in the night, burning homes and a local market while many were trapped inside. Some reports put the number of deaths at over 100.

Governor Alia, who visited the scene alongside the chief of defence staff, Christopher Musa,l and the inspector general of police, Kayode Egbetokun, described the attack as “barbaric and unacceptable.”

He said, “This is indeed another black day in the history of our state. What has happened in this community is a clear case of genocide. Innocent people were killed in their homes, while some were burnt beyond recognition. We are tired of these attacks. This must stop.”

President Tinubu, in a statement on Sunday, condemned the killings and ordered security agencies to go after the perpetrators.

He said, “I condemn the recent killings of villagers in Dutsin-Ma and Kankara Local Government Areas of Katsina State, and in some parts of Benue State. These needless and gruesome deaths are unacceptable. My administration will not relent until we end this orgy of violence and bloodshed.”

“The security agencies have been given a clear directive to hunt down the perpetrators responsible for the heinous crimes in Katsina and Benue states. The full wrath of the law will be brought upon them,” he added.

Benue, considered the food basket of the nation, has long been the flashpoint of violent clashes between farmers and herders over land and grazing routes.

In May, 42 people were reportedly killed in a similar attack across four communities in the state.

The latest incident has triggered fresh calls for lasting peace and stronger security presence in vulnerable communities.