*President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrives in Makurdi, Benue State capital, stops over to condole with victims of the crisis at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, before visiting the troubled Yelwata community, and holding an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting in the Benue State Government House

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, and visited the victims of crisis in the Yelwata community in the hospital, ahead of his visit to the troubled Guma Local Government Area of the state.

绿帽献妻 reports President Tinubu Wednesday, July 18, 2025, stopped over at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital to condole with those injured people in the latest attacks on the Yelwata community.

President Tinubu (l) being welcomed to Makurdi by Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, and other top government officials

Earlier, the Presidential jet conveying Tinubu had touched down Wednesday, at the Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi, at about 12:58 p.m.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has also declared a public holiday for the visit of the Nigerian leader.

While in Benue, and as part of the peacemaking and conflict resolution process, the President is expected to meet with major stakeholders in the state in view of the violent attacks that have led to the loss of lives and property.

On Tinubu鈥檚 meetings with several stakeholders

It was also gathered that President Tinubu would meet with families of victims, displaced and injured persons, as well as other community leaders directly impacted by the wanton destruction in the state.

According to President Tinubu鈥檚 itinerary, the President is expected to meet with political, religious and traditional leaders in the Banquet Hall of the Benue State Government House, in Makurdi, where he will preside over a major town hall meeting with critical stakeholders.

Expected at the meeting are key national and state-level figures, including Governor Alia of Benue State; other State Governors from across the country, particularly from the North-Central states; National Security Adviser (NSA) Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Senator George Akume.

Expected to attend the enlarged meeting also are the Service Chiefs, key members of the National Assembly (NASS), in Abuja, FCT, leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and other prominent individuals, especially those representing affected communities in Benue.

Other high-profile attendees include the members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC), and key Federal lawmakers, especially those representing affected communities in Benue.

Traditional rulers from various ethnic groups within Benue are also expected at the meeting, given their crucial role in conflict resolution and community mobilisation. The state鈥檚 complex ethnic and religious diversity makes their input vital in any lasting peace initiative in recent times, according to report.

The Executive chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas in Benue, the Elders鈥� Council, and members of the Benue State House of Assembly are expected to be present.

The meeting is said to be part of a broader effort at find a lasting solution to the festering crisis that has affected the greater parts of the state, especially rural communities.

CDS: We must find out where the killers are

It is recalled that bandits, suspected to be armed herders, last Friday, attacked the Yelwata community, leading to the death of at least 59 residents and the displacement of over 3,000 others.

Governor Alia also affirmed that at least 59 residents were killed during the attack and hundreds displaced.

Many of those affected, however, put the number of casualties above 200, according to report.

Subsequently, the deadly incident sparked a protest by angry youths, who demanded an end to the killings in the state.

The killings were also condemned by prominent individuals, including the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV; and major opposition leaders.

Following the directive of the President, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, Tuesday, June 17, directed Military commanders to go after those behind the renewed spate of killings in Benue State.

Gen. Musa, at a meeting with traditional rulers in Makurdi, asserted: 鈥淲e must find out where they are. We must go after them.

“And that鈥檚 the directive I鈥檓 giving my commanders. We have had some areas where we think they are holding up, where they are gathering.”

The CDS also stated: “We鈥檙e going to go after them so that we can dislodge them. We shouldn鈥檛 wait until they come to attack people.”

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