In a bid to nip the security challenges facing the people of Benue state in the bud, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Monday, announced plans to visit the state.
This followed the recent tragic incidents that occurred in the state, resulting in the death of over 100 of the residents.
President Tinubu, who was initially billed for Kaduna state same day, would, during the visit, have first-hand information on the persistent conflict affecting communities in the state.
The Kaduna visit has now been rescheduled to Thursday, June, 19, 2025.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga announced this Monday in a statement in Abuja.
He said: “The President’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction.”
The statement said: “In preparation for the visit, President Tinubu has already dispatched the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees to Benue State.
“The President is expected to hold a town hall meeting with all stakeholders during the visit.”
…IGP orders deployment of additional tactical teams
Also, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, accompanied by senior officers, Monday, arrived Benue state.
He was accompanied by some top Police chiefs, including Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Yakubu Kwazhi, DIG in charge of the Department of Logistics & Supply, Adebola Ayinde Hamzat; Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police Zone 4, Zachariah Fera, and the CP (SIS) Abayomi Shogunle.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement in Abuja, said the Police boss, upon arrival, visited the Government House Makurdi, where he commiserated with Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia.
He said the governor expressed delight at the IGP’s visit and the deployment of personnel and tactical assets over time.
According to the FHQ spokesperson, while discussing with the governor, IGP Egbetokun condemned the attacks, describing the killings as senseless and an act of terrorism.
The IGP assured and reassured the governor that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) would do its best efforts to rein in the situation and bring perpetrators of the heinous and barbaric acts to justice.
Adejobi further stated that the IGP also seized the opportunity to visit the Yelwata community in Guma local government area of the state, where he inspected the damage done, and engaged the community leaders alongside the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa.
He noted that the IGP commiserated with the members of the community and reassured them of the NPF’s commitment to further augmenting the available security emplacement in the state.
“To this end, the IGP has directed the immediate deployment of additional tactical teams and assets, assigning the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Department of Operations, DIG Kwazhi Dali Yakubu, to take charge and oversee the operations aimed at restoring peace and serenity to Benue state,” the statement added.
The spokesperson disclosed that the IGP concluded his visit by addressing the officers and men of the state command at the Police Officers’ Mess located at the Command Headquarters, Makurdi.
“He assured them of adequate welfare and logistics support to challenge the ongoing hazards in the state.