The Benue State government has declared Wednesday, June 18, 2025, a public holiday ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s anticipated visit.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Serumun Deborah, the holiday was announced in honour of the President’s visit to the state.
It said, “The Benue State Government has declared Wednesday 18th June 2025 as Public Holiday. This is in honour of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the federal Republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR who is scheduled for a one-day visit to the State, to commiserate with the government and people of the State over incessant security crises.
“Note however that those engaged in essential services like health workers, security agencies and Banks are exempted from this holiday.”
“Benue residents are urged to come out en-masse to receive the President and his entourage to the State, on this Presidential Commiseration visit,” the statement read.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that in a circular dated June 17, 2025, signed by Hon. Francis U. Ngutswen, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Special Groups Mobilisation, instructed pro-government groups, some of whom would be grieving or mourning the loss of loved ones, to organise a “colourful shoulder-to-shoulder spread/procession” in honour of President Tinubu’s visit.
“I am pleased to notify you at the instance of our dear Governor, His Excellency Fr Dr Hyacinth lormem Alia, the Leader of All Progressives Congress in Benue State, to mobilise massively to give a rousing welcome to our President,” the circular read.
According to the directive, the “Support Groups Constituency is required to form a colourful shoulder-to-shoulder spread/procession from Airport to Wurukum Roundabout and down to Government House, Makurdi where the President will address a Town-hall Meeting.”
Further adding to the ceremonial preparation, the circular stated: “Accreditation will be done strictly by the numbers and colours,” and urged “Leaders of Groups” to liaise with the Office of the SSA to the Governor on Special Groups Mobilisation for more information.
“Kindly accept the Governor’s gratitude for your commitment and be assured of my highest regards and esteem,” it concluded.
This development comes amid public outrage over the rising death toll in Benue State, where more than 100 people were killed over the weekend in Yelewata.
Amnesty International, in a statement, described the attack as evidence that “the security measures government claims to be implementing in the state are not working.”
“The Nigerian authorities must immediately end the almost daily bloodshed in Benue State and bring the actual perpetrators to justice,” the human rights watchdog said.
SaharaReporters earlier revealed that the President’s trip was prompted by the deteriorating security situation in Benue.
A statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, noted that Tinubu had “rescheduled his official visit to Kaduna State” in favour of Benue, “as part of renewed efforts to foster peace and address the persistent conflict affecting communities in the state.”
“Instead, he will travel to Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025,” the statement said.
It added: “The President’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction.”
The presidency was said to have dispatched top government officials ahead of Tinubu’s visit—including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, and heads of intelligence agencies.
Governor Alia himself recently declared on Channels Television that “we are under siege,” describing the wave of violence as “directed, planned, and executed,” rather than mere communal clashes.
“We are receiving intel, and 60 to 65 percent of it has proven accurate,” he warned, pointing to what he described as organised acts of terrorism.
