President Bola Tinubu to Visit Benue Amid Continued Attacks by Suspected Herdsmen

President Tinubu to Visit Benue After Continued Herdsmen Killings: Full Details and Stakeholder Reactions

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a planned visit to Benue State on Wednesday in response to the renewed wave of killings allegedly perpetrated by suspected Fulani herdsmen, which have left several residents dead and many others displaced. The announcement came during the commissioning of the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project, covering Loops 1, 2, 5, and 6 of the Federal Capital City (FCC) on Monday.
The president used the occasion to express his deep concern over the violent attacks and reaffirm his administration’s commitment to restoring peace and protecting the lives of every Nigerian, regardless of location or ethnicity.
While addressing the audience at the event, President Tinubu stated:

“While I sympathize with the good people of Benue State, I have spoken to the governor, the leadership, and the people to accept our heartfelt condolences and strive, very consciously, to maintain peace and harmony among themselves.”

He added that Nigeria, as a nation, is like a large family living in the same house, perhaps in different rooms, but under one roof. According to him, this diversity should be a strength, not a weakness.

“I have always said we are one single, huge family living in the same house, maybe in different rooms, but we must live together in harmony. Our diversity should lead us to prosperity. We must learn to manage our anger and frustrations, not turn against each other.”

President Tinubu further revealed that he will reschedule part of his official engagements to enable him to visit Benue State personally on Wednesday, June 18, to directly engage with the people and explore sustainable solutions to the crisis.

In a related development, a statement released by Presidential Spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Monday confirmed that the visit is part of President Tinubu’s broader plan to address the deepening security concerns in the state.
The statement noted that the president’s visit is not only symbolic but strategic. It is aimed at evaluating the situation on the ground, commiserating with affected communities, and taking concrete steps towards a lasting resolution of the recurring attacks in the Middle Belt state.

“During his stay, President Tinubu will meet with all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political leaders, religious groups, community leaders, and youth representatives, to seek lasting solutions to the recurring hostilities,” the statement read.

To pave the way for the president’s arrival and to gather intelligence, the government has already dispatched several high-ranking officials to Benue, including:

• The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF)
• The National Security Adviser (NSA)
• The Inspector General of Police (IGP)
• Heads of key intelligence agencies
• Chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees

These officials are expected to brief the president ahead of his engagements in the state and help design an action plan that addresses both the security challenges and humanitarian concerns in the region.

Benue State has, over the years, remained a flashpoint of violent conflict, especially between herders and farming communities. The recurring nature of these attacks has sparked public outcry and drawn national and international attention.
The current wave of violence, believed to be carried out by armed Fulani herdsmen, has claimed dozens of lives in recent weeks. Entire villages have been razed, farmlands destroyed, and many survivors forced to flee their homes, leaving behind everything they own.
Despite several peace initiatives and security operations by past administrations, the root causes of the crisis—land disputes, resource competition, and ethnic tensions—remain largely unresolved.

President Tinubu, since assuming office, has consistently emphasized the importance of peace, national unity, and inclusive development. He has reiterated that no Nigerian should live in fear or be denied the right to safety and dignity.
In his statement during the Abuja event, Tinubu said:

“Violence, in any form, is unacceptable. My administration will continue to engage, dialogue, and take decisive action to ensure that no Nigerian, man, woman, or child, is left behind or left unprotected.”

He extended his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and expressed hope that the ongoing government interventions will bring an end to the cycle of bloodshed in Benue and other parts of the country plagued by insecurity.
Originally, the president was scheduled to visit Kaduna State on Wednesday, June 18, to commission several state government projects. However, following the urgency of the Benue situation, the Kaduna visit has now been rescheduled for Thursday, June 19.
This move, observers say, reflects Tinubu’s responsiveness and willingness to adjust his calendar in the face of national emergencies, a sign that the government is prioritizing lives over ceremony.
President Tinubu’s itinerary for Benue includes:

• Town Hall Meeting with affected communities
• Closed-door meeting with state and traditional leaders
• Security briefing from the joint task force and security agencies
• Visit to IDP camps and possibly attacked villages

These engagements are expected to shape policy decisions, influence security deployment strategies, and possibly attract more federal relief support for displaced persons and farmers who have lost their livelihoods.

The announcement of the president’s visit has been met with mixed reactions. While many appreciate the gesture and hope it leads to tangible solutions, others have expressed skepticism, citing past unfulfilled promises by previous administrations.
Civil society organizations and human rights groups have urged the government to go beyond words and deliver real justice to victims by arresting and prosecuting perpetrators, rebuilding destroyed communities, and ensuring that displaced people can safely return home.
Political analysts suggest that Tinubu’s handling of the Benue crisis will be a litmus test of his administration’s broader security strategy, especially regarding non-state armed actors and ethno-religious violence in Nigeria. Benue Youths End Protest Over Killings After VeryDarkMan’s Powerful Intervention

As President Bola Tinubu heads to Benue State on Wednesday, hopes are high that his visit will not only provide comfort to grieving families but also serve as a turning point in the ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity in the region.
The coming days will reveal whether this presidential intervention can spark meaningful change, one that goes beyond sympathy to action and beyond promises to sustainable peace.

By PrimeLineInfo