Tinubu Visits Benue Survivors After Deadly Attack

Tinubu visits Benue survivors of the herdsmen attack, offers condolences, and directs urgent security intervention.

A Presidential Visit Laden with Grief and Hope

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Makurdi, Benue State, on Wednesday to meet with victims of the tragic assault on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area.

Last Friday, suspected armed herders launched a devastating attack that claimed over 100 lives and left dozens injured.

Tinubu’s plane landed at the Nigeria Air Force Base Makurdi at exactly 12:58 PM.

A large contingent of state officials, security personnel, and residents welcomed him.

High-profile dignitaries, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia, received the President.

From the airport, the presidential convoy drove directly to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, where survivors are receiving medical treatment.

The visit was a solemn one, bearing the weight of national grief.

At the Hospital: Face-to-Face with Survivors

President Tinubu walked through hospital corridors, speaking directly with victims and their families.

Many survivors had visible injuries, while others lay in critical condition in intensive care units.

Tinubu offered words of comfort and emphasized the government’s commitment to justice and healing.

“This is not just Benue’s tragedy. It is a national wound,” he stated. “We will not rest until justice is done.”

Doctors briefed the President on the survivors’ conditions, highlighting a lack of medical supplies and psychological counseling.

Tinubu immediately pledged federal assistance, including emergency medical supplies and funds for the victims and the hospital.

Historical Context: Violence in Benue

Benue State has long been at the epicenter of Nigeria’s farmer-herder conflict.

Since 2013, the region has suffered frequent attacks, especially in Guma and Logo LGAs.

These incidents have forced thousands from their homes and significantly affected agricultural productivity.

Experts argue that the conflict stems from disputes over land use, identity politics, and the failure of state institutions to enforce laws.

Local governments have passed anti-grazing laws, but enforcement remains weak.

A Turning Point or More Promises?

President Tinubu’s visit comes at a critical time for Benue residents, many of whom feel abandoned by the federal government.

While his presence brought a sense of national attention, questions remain about long-term solutions and follow-through.

Civil society groups and local leaders cautiously welcomed the visit but stressed that symbolic gestures must translate into sustainable action.

“We’ve seen presidents come and go. What we need is lasting peace, not more condolences,” said Terna Igbawua, a Makurdi-based human rights advocate.

The President, in a brief address to reporters outside the hospital, announced the immediate deployment of additional security forces to vulnerable communities in Guma and surrounding areas.

He also promised to revisit the federal government’s National Livestock Transformation Plan as a sustainable path forward in curbing farmer-herder clashes.

Voices from the Ground: Pain and Pleas for Protection

The air in Yelewata is still heavy with grief. Mourners gathered in makeshift tents, many holding faded photographs of loved ones lost in the attack.

Grace Mbaterem, a widow with three children, broke down in tears as she described watching her home burn.

“I ran into the bush with my youngest child. My husband and my two sons were shot,” she said. “Now we sleep on bare ground.”

Community leaders told the President that despite numerous alerts to security agencies before the attack, no proactive response came.

“This attack was preventable,” said Chief Simon Uhemba. “We alerted authorities, but nobody came.”

This damning claim echoes a broader pattern in many rural parts of Nigeria, where citizens often rely on under-resourced local vigilantes due to the absence of effective policing.

Government Response: Promises of a New Security Architecture

In his remarks, Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria’s security structure will be revamped to prevent recurring tragedies.

He noted that under his leadership, the federal security architecture will be overhauled to respond faster to rural threats.

“This is not just about Benue. It is about any Nigerian community vulnerable to terror. We will modernize intelligence gathering and invest in rural security,” he said.

He ordered the immediate deployment of military surveillance drones and pledged a permanent forward-operating base in Guma.

The Defense Headquarters later confirmed that troops had been mobilized and operations against the suspected armed herdsmen were underway in the border regions between Benue and Nasarawa.

Trauma Runs Deep: Survivors in Need of Healing

Beyond physical injuries, the trauma lingers.

At the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, mental health professionals say the victims are battling deep psychological wounds.

Dr. Nenye Nwafor, a psychiatrist volunteering at the facility, said, “These people have seen horror beyond imagination.

Children have been orphaned overnight. Entire families have been erased.”

The President directed the Ministry of Health to dispatch trauma experts and create a survivor care program tailored to displaced communities.

He also hinted at a federal compensation fund for victims of herdsmen violence.

Lawmakers React: Calls for State Police Renewed

Following the attack and the President’s visit, lawmakers from the North Central geopolitical zone renewed their calls for the establishment of state police.

Senator Orker Jev (Benue North-West) stated, “Enough is enough. We need the legal framework for state-level policing. The federal monopoly on force is not working.”

In response, Tinubu expressed openness to constitutional amendments enabling state police, noting that local ownership of security could enhance effectiveness in crisis-prone areas.

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What Comes Next for Benue?

For the people of Yelewata, recovery will be slow. Burial ceremonies continue in waves.

Aid groups are setting up relief camps, and many survivors are unsure of where to return, fearing repeat attacks.

The Tinubu administration has a short window to prove its commitment.

Experts say that genuine peace will require a multi-pronged approach justice for victims,

disarmament of militias, investment in rural security, and resolution of the underlying land disputes.

While the President’s visit is commendable, it is not a solution.

It is a moment a necessary but insufficient gesture that must be backed by urgent, tangible action.

Final Thoughts: Between Hope and Heartbreak

As President Tinubu departed Makurdi, the mood remained cautious.

For every handshake and condolence offered, a mother is grieving, a child orphaned, and a farmer unable to return home.

Benue has heard many promises before.

The difference this time will lie in action not just from Abuja, but from every corner of the Nigerian federation that believes in justice, security, and the sanctity of life.