President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday announced plans to establish a peace committee aimed at ending the long-standing violence in Benue State, following a recent attack in the Yelwata community that reportedly claimed over 200 lives.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House Banquet Hall in Makurdi, the President said the committee would include traditional rulers such as the Tor Tiv, James Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, as well as other key leaders.
He said, “I will want us to create this leadership committee now and then we meet in Abuja to really fashion out the nucleus for a lasting peace, and I’m ready to invest in that peace,” Tinubu said at the meeting.
“And I want the traditional rulers, Tor Tiv and Ochidoma to be included in this peace committee. I think by now you will be bored of hearing my voice, but I give you the assurance, we will find peace, we will convert this tragedy to prosperity.”
The President, who visited victims of the Yelwata attack at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital earlier in the day, expressed concern over the rising death toll and lack of arrests, warning security agencies to act swiftly.
“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals.
“Christopher (the Chief of Defence Staff), you have given much. I watch your comments, you can’t be tired of staying in the bush. Oloyede and the Air Marshal, we thank all of you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground, let’s get those criminals, let’s get them out. DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels, and let’s have tangible intelligence so that this will not occur again,” he said.
He also called for unity among Nigerians, urging citizens to focus on defeating common enemies rather than internal strife.
The meeting was attended by Governor Hyacinth Alia, several North-Central governors, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, service chiefs and other traditional and political leaders.
