The federal government will work with other stakeholders to ensure that peace returns to the state
By Austin Angwe, Makurdi
President Bola Tinubu has directed the inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetekun to ensure that criminal elements behind the Yelewata killings in Benue State are not only arrested but brought to justice.
The president who gave the directive while addressing stakeholders during a town hall meeting, Wednesday, in Makurdi, expressed worry why Nigerians were fighting themselves instead of uniting to fight the enemy, blaming the killers for their barbaric act, insisting that the lives of human beings should be more sacred than cows.
President Tinubu who said he had expected to come to Benue for commissioning of projects but lamented the killings, assured the people that the federal government will work with other stakeholders to ensure that peace returns to the state.
He charged the governor to close ranks by working in synergy with all stakeholders as well as constitute a peace resolution committee to enable him achieve peace.
Governor Alia on his part commended the President Tinubu for his visit to the state following the recent attack on Yelewata Community in Guma Local Government Area.
The governor expressed appreciation to the president for proffering solutions to the wanton killings in the state and equally lauded efforts of security agencies in Benue State to bring peace throughout the crisis and solicited for improved security measures to confront the challenges better.
He noted that the attacks on the peace-loving people of Benue State have persisted for over a decade and expressed hope that the President’s visit would bring to an end the security challenges.
The Governor urged the Federal Government to consider establishing a special intervention fund for communities affected by the attacks in Benue State, stressing that such a fund would support the rehabilitation of displaced persons, rebuilding of destroyed infrastructure, and restore the livelihoods of farmers and families.
Governor Alia equally reiterated his support for the establishment of state police as a sustainable solution to the persistent insecurity in the state, believing that the Federal Government could address concerns surrounding its implementation by setting clear guidelines and regulatory frameworks.
Also speaking, the Tor Tiv HRM Orchivirigh Professor James Ayatse, told the President that Benue was facing a full war situation, saying those encouraging his subjects to coexist with herders were saying they should leave with warriors.