President Tinubu directs security chiefs to relocate to Benue aftermath of latest Yelewata killings

There are indications that security chiefs, including that of the police, and the military have arrived in Benue State.

Their arrival follows the directive of President Bola Tinubu to put an end to the insecurity ravaging the state.

This development was made known in a statement on Sunday by the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Onanuga noted that the President directed the security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to Benue State.

President Tinubu renewed his order in the wake of the latest round of reprisal attacks that led to the killing of n9 fewer than 200 people in the Yelewata community on Saturday.

President Tinubu has equally charged the governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, with the task of convening reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to end the incessant bloodshed and bring lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and communities.

Describing the killings and bloodletting as inhuman and anti-progress, President Tinubu called on political leaders and community leaders in conflict areas to stop fuelling the crisis through unguarded utterances and statements that could further inflame tensions.

Tinubu, who condemned the attacks, also charged the state government to rein in those who go out to cause provocations and ignite reprisal attacks.

“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.

“I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them.

“Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.

“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. Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice,” President Tinubu said in the statement.