Yelwata, Benue State — The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, on Sunday visited Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, the scene of Friday night’s deadly attacks that claimed scores of lives.
His visit follows a series of coordinated assaults by suspected armed herders and bandits across several communities in the state. At least 100 people were reportedly killed, according to eyewitness accounts and local reports.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that General Musa is expected to meet with Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, at the Government House in Makurdi before concluding his visit.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, is also scheduled to arrive in the state for a working visit amid the security crisis.
In the aftermath of the attacks, angry youths in Yelwata blocked the Lafia–Makurdi highway in protest, demanding immediate government action. The protests spread to the state capital, Makurdi, where demonstrators clashed with security personnel. Police were seen firing teargas to disperse the crowd on Sunday morning.
Reacting to the killings, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu issued a statement via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, condemning the violence and calling for urgent reconciliation efforts.
“I have been briefed on the senseless bloodletting in Benue State. Enough is enough!” the president declared. “I have directed security agencies to act decisively, arrest the perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them.”
President Tinubu also charged Governor Alia to lead a reconciliation process involving all stakeholders.
“This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue,” the statement read. “Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are addressed with fairness, openness, and justice.”
The president cautioned political and community leaders against inflammatory remarks that could worsen tensions, urging all parties to commit to a path of peace and coexistence.
