President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa to immediately arrest the criminal elements who perpetrated the heinous killing of over 100 people in Yelewata community in Guma local government area of Benue state.
“Christopher… We need to get our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals. Let’s get them out,” Tinubu told the CDS Wednesday while addressing stakeholders at a meeting in the Government House Markudi.
The meeting included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) George Akume, traditional rulers and former governors of the state.
Also at the meeting were Kwara state Governor Abddulrahman Abdulrazaq, Imo state Governor Hope Uzodinma, Ahmed Ododo of Kogi state, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state and Nasarawa state Governor Abdullahi A. Sule.
Speaking at the gathering, President Tinubu, who called out the Inspector General of Police to know why arrests had not been made, said: “How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata. Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately.”
He urged the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather actionable intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators.
He also told the CDS of the need for vigilance and collaboration between communities and security forces.
Advising Governor Alia on the importance of stakeholder management for peaceful and progressive governance, the president urged the governor to set up a peace committee in the state that will include former governors, elders, traditional rulers, federal government officials, and non-indigenes living in the state.
“Let us meet again in Abuja. Let’s fashion out a framework for lasting peace. I am ready to invest in that peace. I assure you, we will find peace. We will convert this tragedy into prosperity,” he said.
President Tinubu urged Governor Alia to allocate land for ranching and directed the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, to follow up.
He called for blood donations to support the injured receiving treatment at the Benue State Teaching Hospital, where he had earlier visited victims and medical staff.
While underscoring the importance of peace for sustainable development, President Tinubu implored the governor to ensure the state remains peaceful, adding that the circumstances of his visit this time should not have been a reason to visit.
“I wanted to come here to commission projects, to reassure you of hope and prosperity, not to see gloomy faces. But peace is vital to development.
“The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people,” he said.
Giving the governor further charge, Tinubu said: “Governor Alia, you were elected under the progressive banner to ensure peace, stability, and progress. You are not elected to bury people or comfort widows and orphans. We will work with you to achieve that peace. You must also work with us.
“Not everyone will like you in politics. They hate me, too—like hell. But here I am, still your President. I made a promise to protect democracy, freedom, and prosperity, even for my abusers and accusers. That’s leadership.”
On the need for unity among people of the state, the president said: “We’re all part of the same family, just in different rooms, whether you’re Tiv or Idoma. When Lagos faced challenges, we turned them into economic opportunities. We can do the same here in Benue, transforming this tragedy into economic prosperity.
“The value of human life far surpasses that of material possessions or livestock. I urge the people of Benue to prioritize peace and make the well-being of your people a top priority.