By Fresh Facts Staff Writer
Makurdi, Benue State
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to Benue State in the wake of a brutal attack by suspected herdsmen has sparked mixed reactions, ranging from cautious optimism to fierce criticism. The visit came days after over 150 residents of Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area were gruesomely killed in one of the deadliest attacks in the state this year.
While the president’s trip to the state was ostensibly a condolence visit, its execution and symbolism have drawn national attention—and controversy.
The Visit That Stirred the Nation
President Tinubu arrived in Makurdi on Tuesday, June 18, 2025, nearly a week after the attack that left entire families wiped out and homes razed. He visited some of the injured victims in hospitals and held meetings with state officials, but notably did not visit the devastated community of Yelewata, where the massacre occurred.
In a public statement, Tinubu condemned the killings and directed security agencies to arrest the perpetrators and restore peace. He pledged federal support for the displaced and emphasized that the government would not tolerate acts of terrorism or banditry.
However, for many Benue residents, the visit fell short.
Fanfare vs. Grief: Criticism Mounts
Opposition voices and local observers decried what they termed an “orchestrated carnival” during the president’s appearance. Critics, including Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, described the visit as “tone-deaf,” accusing the Benue State Government of organizing schoolchildren to sing and dance during what should have been a solemn occasion.
Some angry youths were seen tearing down All Progressives Congress (APC) banners in protest, accusing the administration of politicizing their pain and ignoring the root causes of the crisis.
“It was not a condolence visit. It was a political rally dressed in sorrow,” said Iorliam Terver, a local activist in Guma. “The president didn’t even visit Yelewata. That tells us all we need to know.”
A Glimpse of Relief—but for How Long?
Despite the backlash, some community leaders welcomed the president’s attention, expressing hope that it would attract stronger federal intervention. Security experts believe Tinubu’s directives to security chiefs could catalyze a more decisive military response in Benue’s troubled communities.
There are also signs that the federal government may increase funding for security operations in the North Central zone and possibly revisit the controversial anti-open grazing law—a major source of contention between farmers and herders in the region.
Still, residents remain skeptical.
“Words are not enough,” said Dr. Eunice Apollos, a displaced persons coordinator in Makurdi. “We want to see arrests, we want to see justice, and we want our people to return home safely.”
Why the Killings Continue
Benue State has long been a flashpoint in Nigeria’s farmer-herder conflict, worsened by desertification in the north, unregulated migration, and the failure of successive governments to enforce grazing regulations.
Experts point to several long-standing challenges:
- Weak security presence in rural areas.
- Delayed responses to intelligence warnings.
- Lack of grazing infrastructure like ranches.
- Poorly implemented land-use laws.
- Minimal federal coordination on herder resettlement.
“The root causes are systemic,” said Prof. Terseer Idoko, a conflict resolution scholar at the University of Jos. “This cycle of violence will persist unless structural reforms are made.”
What Should Have Been Done
Stakeholders argue that proactive steps could have averted the tragedy:
- Strengthening local security networks and community policing.
- Timely intelligence gathering using drones and informant networks.
- Full enforcement of the anti-open grazing law.
- Establishing peace mediation councils among herders, farmers, and traditional leaders.
- Swift evacuation and relief for at-risk communities.
The Way Forward
To forestall future attacks, experts and civil society groups are urging the federal government to:
- Declare a state of emergency in the most affected LGAs.
- Fast-track the creation of ranches and legal grazing corridors.
- Publicly prosecute those responsible for mass killings.
- Launch a rural peace and recovery initiative in Benue.
- Bolster the Operation Whirl Stroke security architecture with better logistics and manpower.
Conclusion
President Tinubu’s visit may have brought national focus to Benue, but for a region buried in grief, symbolism is not enough. The real test lies in what comes next: justice for the victims, restoration of security, and a commitment to structural solutions that prevent future bloodshed.
Until then, the people of Yelewata and beyond continue to wait—not for another visit, but for meaningful action.
