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Tinubu To Visit, Meet Stakeholders Tomorrow
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IGP, SGF, Others Arrive Makurdi
THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said that more than 100 people have been killed, with 6,527 displaced, following a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen in Benue State.
This necessitated President Bola Tinubu to proposed a visit on the state tomorrow, to hold stakeholders meeting on the attacks and killings, with top security and civil officials already in Makurdi.
On Saturday morning, gunmen launched a fresh attack on Yelewata, a community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue, killing dozens of residents and leaving others severely injured.
In a statement, yesterday, NEMA confirmed that two soldiers and one officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were killed in an ambush near Daudu, Guma local government area while responding to a distress call.
NEMA said the Benue police command confirmed that some of the assailants were also killed in a gun battle, and that efforts were underway to restore order in the affected communities. The agency said 20 persons, out of 46 people taken to hospitals with varying degrees of injuries, died while receiving treatment.
It noted that 1,069 households had been registered as displaced including 1,768 females, 759 males, 657 children under 18, and 1,870 adults above 18.
NEMA said vulnerable groups among the displaced include 252 lactating mothers, 82 pregnant women, and 91 elderly persons.
The agency noted that relief efforts were ongoing for thousands of residents forced to flee their homes, as a new Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp has been set up at the Makurdi International Market to provide temporary shelter.
It added that there was an urgent need for food, non-food items (NFIs), clean water, blood donations and medical supplies to support those affected by the attacks.
The recent attack, which sparked protests by youths in the state, brings the number of assaults on the town to three in one week.
The attack has also received international attention, with Pope Leo offering prayers for Benue during Sunday mass.
President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to arrest perpetrators of the attacks and avoid utterances that could heighten tension in the state
…Tinubu To Visit Benue Over Crisis
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu will travel to Benue on June 18 as part of renewed efforts to foster peace and address the persistent conflict affecting communities in the state.
The President’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused destruction, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, said in a statement, yesterday.
“During his stay, President Tinubu will meet with all stakeholders—including traditional rulers, political, religious, community leaders, and youth groups—to seek lasting solutions to the hostilities.
“In preparation for the visit, President Tinubu has already dispatched the SGF, 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,” said the statement.
President Tinubu had previously condemned the ongoing violence in Benue and called on all leaders and residents to embrace peace, love, and mutual understanding.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to all those who have suffered losses as a result of the crisis.
