From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja, Noah Ebije, Kaduna, Scholastica Hir, Makurdi and Seyi Babalola

According to a statement by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the visit is to provide the president a firsthand assessment of the persistent violence that has claimed numerous lives and caused widespread destruction.

During the visit, President Tinubu will engage with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political and religious leaders, community representatives, and youth groups, to seek durable solutions to the hostilities.

Ahead of the visit, key government officials including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees, have already been deployed.

A town hall meeting is also scheduled, where the President will directly interact with affected communities and leaders to foster dialogue and peace.

Regardless, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), former Senate president, David Mark and others have decried the unending killings in Benue, urging the Federal and Benue State governments to immediately put an end to the bloodletting.

On June 14, over 100 people were killed in attacks by suspected herdsmen in Yelewata and Daudu communities, in Guma LGA of Benue state.

The death toll from the massacre had reportedly risen to 200 by Sunday.

The recent attack, which sparked protests by youths in the state, brings the number of assaults on the town to three in one week.

The attack has also received international attention, with Pope Leo offering prayers for Benue during Sunday mass.

President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to arrest perpetrators of the attacks and avoid utterances that could heighten tension in the state.

Ohanaeze, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr Ezechi Chukwu, unreservedly condemns the horrifying massacre of over 100 people and burning of houses by gunmen, who reportedly invaded Yelwata Community in the early hours of Saturday.

“The deadly night attack, which has caused massive displacement, in addition to the loss of innocent lives and property, is seen by Ohanaeze as callous, inhuman and unacceptable.

“Human life remains sacrosanct, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or social status.

“This idea of ruthless mass bloodletting at any slightest provocation is ungodly and antithetical to national conviviality in a multi-ethnic country as ours.”

He added that Ohanaeze decried the prolonged inability of government and security agencies to stem the escalation of attacks in Benue and other parts of the country.

The statement explained that there would be dire consequences of the incessant attacks to the progress and wellbeing of the Nigerian state, if not contained.

“We, therefore, call on government and stakeholders at different levels to put in place adequate measures that would address this theatre of carnage, by finding a lasting solution to the vicious circle of violence between herders and farmers.

“Benue Government and stakeholders may, as a matter of urgency, collaborate with the Federal Government and security agencies to convoke a national dialogue on the unending destruction of lives and property in the state,” he added.

•CAN demands action

CAN gas urged the Federal Government to deploy additional security forces to Benue to address recent killings of over 200 lives.

It also calls on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the worst-hit areas.

President of CAN, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, in a statement, expressed the association’s deep sorrow and solidarity with the bereaved families, praying for the peaceful repose of the departed souls.

CAN also insisted on a thorough and transparent investigation, calling for the swift prosecution of all those that are responsible for the killings.

“The recent massacre which targeted several communities in Benue, left families shattered and villages in despair.

“These senseless killings have inflicted immeasurable pain, hence the need for justice and protection of the vulnerable populations.

“For years, Benue has suffered recurrent violence, often attributed to armed groups. In spite of repeated outcries, meaningful intervention has been lacking, leading to a cycle of impunity and further bloodshed.

“Justice must prevail to break the grip of impunity fueling these atrocities.”

Okoh appealed to the international community for support in restoring peace and rebuilding trust among Benue’s traumatised residents.

Okoh reaffirmed the association’s unwavering commitment to defend the sanctity of life, advocating for the protection and dignity of all Nigerians.

“As an association, we pray for peace to be restored, and justice rolled down like waters,” he said.

•Unjust, inhumane, barbaric –JNI

JNI under the leadership of its President-General, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, in statement by the Secretary-General of JNI, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, tasked security agencies to sit up to their responsibilities to stop further unjust massacre of innocent and defenseless citizens.

“For how long would such senseless killings continue to occur on the Nigerian soil? Why has it remained so difficult for security agencies in preempting such catastrophic occurrences on our national lives?

“Nonetheless, JNI unequivocally condemns the dastardly and barbaric act in its totality. It is inhumane, ungodly, and a complete betrayal of our common values as human beings.

“The sanctity of human life is sacrosanct and must not be toyed with. It is, therefore, unacceptable that in a supposedly democratic and civilised setting, human lives are exterminated with such impunity, without any deterrence and/or timely justice against the devilish actors.

“While the JNI appreciates the efforts of security agencies, we are, however, constrained to express our displeasure at their often reactive posture. It has become a recurring pattern for security operatives to arrive only after the damage has been done. Such an act emboldens the perpetrators and dampens the morale of innocent citizens. Security must be intelligence-driven, proactive, and prompt if we are to avert future recurrences, which is invariably becoming normalised.

“We call on all relevant stakeholders – government at all levels, religious bodies, civil society organisations, and community leaders, to come together in synergy and sincerity to end this repeated avoidable carnage.

“Enough is enough. Our collective silence or indifference may only

serve to embolden the enemies of peace and national unity in Nigeria.

JNI prays to Almighty Allah to console the victims’ families, and restore lasting peace and tranquility in Benue State and the entire country,” the statement said.

•Selfhelp

In his reaction, David Mark warned that residents may resort to self-defence if government fails to protect them.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Paul Mumeh, Mark described the situation in his home state as “senseless, tragic and unacceptable,” saying it reflects a grave failure of government.

He urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to check the deteriorating security situation in the state.

Mark emphasised that the primary responsibility of any government is the welfare and security of its citizens.

“This is the unfortunate reality the Benue people are confronted with. Government must rise to its responsibility.”

Mark urged the Federal Government to fulfil its constitutional obligation to safeguard the lives and property of all Nigerians.

He called on the state government, under the leadership of Gov. Hyacinth Alia, to intensify its efforts in ensuring the safety of the people.

Mark appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, and stakeholders to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to apprehend and prosecute the culprits.

He offered a message of solidarity and resilience.“This is a trying moment for our people. “We must unite, mobilise and speak with one voice against the invaders. We must refuse to bow to fear.”

He urged the people to remain law-abiding, stay united, and uphold the enduring spirit of being their brother’s keeper.

•Alia speaks

Governor Hyacinth Alia have alleged that armed herders who enter the state without cattle are responsible for the recent wave of violent attacks.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, he claimed the herders come into the state with AK-47s and AK-49s.

Alia said after the herders carry out murders and destroy communities, new groups of people often move into affected areas.

He said the borders pose a challenge to his state, as many of the assailants throng Benue from neighbouring Nasarawa.

Alia added that some of the aggressors arrive through the Cameroon border, adding that some are not Nigerians.

“Last year, people had gone back home and engaged in farming activities with bountiful produce.

“But this farming season again, we started experiencing the phase of the new attacks.

“The phase of the new attacks comes this way. Before now, we were talking about the farmers/herders crisis, now it has graduated from there, it has become the question of herders coming in and the armed men were among them.

“We tagged them the armed herdsmen. What we experience, generally, is that the herd are not being brought in but those who are in the frontline fighting out here are only carrying AK-47 and AK-49.

“What are their aims? They don’t even come with cows. They attack, kill, and after one week, a number of people now come back to occupy.

“What we understand on the ground is a simple equation. A thief will not just come to a community unless there is someone within the community who leads the thief to your house or the community.

“What we have now is that, strangely, it is the fact that the herders had a crisis, the armed herders hijacked it and now the bandits, and terrorists have come in completely.

“That is the situation on the ground.”

•SGF calls for unity, peace

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, expressed deep sorrow and condemnation over the recent spate of violence and killings in Benue State.

In a statement he described the ongoing bloodshed as “disheartening and utterly condemnable,” emphasising that the tragedy extends beyond Benue to other states such as Plateau and Zamfara.

Highlighting the gravity of the situation, the SGF noted that these attacks are economically motivated rather than religiously driven, dispelling misconceptions that have often clouded understanding of the crisis.

He mourned the loss of innocent lives — men, women, and children — urging Nigerians to see the victims as brothers and sisters united by shared humanity.

Calling for urgent collective action, Akume appealed to the people of Benue, their leaders, traditional institutions, and stakeholders to come together to forge lasting peace and security. He stressed the need to rise above divisions and work decisively to protect lives and safeguard the future of the state.

The SGF also commended President Bola Tinubu for his swift directive ordering a full-scale security operation to eliminate the perpetrators and bring them to justice. He confirmed that the federal government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has provided assistance and that additional troops have been deployed to Benue to stabilise the volatile situation.

“As a son of the soil and a key stakeholder, I will not relent in consulting, mobilizing, and coordinating all necessary efforts to find and implement a durable solution,” Akume affirmed, extending this commitment to other affected states as well.

He appealed to all Nigerians — Christians, Muslims, and traditionalists alike — to uphold the sanctity of human life, stressing that every life lost is an affront to God. “We must live as brothers and sisters in peace and harmony,” he said.

The SGF concluded by extending heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and the resilient people of Benue. “In this dark hour, we stand with you. We will not rest until justice speaks loudly, clearly, and without delay,” he declared.

•CDS vows to end banditry

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has vowed to end banditry in Nigeria.

He made the vow on Monday at Yelwata town, Guma Local Government Area of Benue, where scores were killed in coordinated attacks on Friday night.

The CDS said the Nigerian Armed Forces would leave no stone unturned to ensure that such devastating attacks were not recorded in the country again.

He also assured that wherever the attackers were, the forces would get them and neutralise them, adding that the Yelwata attack would be their last act.

Musa admitted that there were officers who compromised and gave out information but that such officers were no longer in service.

He said that there was evidence that the bandits had their targets, thereby establishing the fact that there were insiders that aided them.

“I’m going to see my commanders, and we have to change our strategy. We want to look inward and see how we can address this.

“We used to have even within us people that compromise and give information. Going around the scene, the way the killing and burnings were made shows that they had insiders.

“I discussed with community leaders, traditional rulers and the clergy on the need for us to work in unity.

“There have been some issues of trust, and we are going to address it.”

Musa said more deployments would be made, adding that he would embark on a similar visit to Nasarawa on Tuesday.

The CDS condoled with the Benue Government, Gov. Hyacinth Alia, and all victims of banditry attacks, especially the people of Yelwata town, over their losses.

He advised them to remain strong and steadfast, as hope has already arrived.

The CDS, while in Yelwata, held a meeting with community leaders and stakeholders. He inspected the scene of the crime and made a cash donation to the IDPs.