…. Yelwata Massacre Would be the Last – CDS
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, on Monday, visited Benue State following the latest coordinated attacks on Yelewata community by suspected Fulani herdsmen which resulted in the death of over 200 people with many others injured and property worth millions of naira destroyed.
Egbetokun said he was in the State at the instance of President Ahmed Tinubu who feel extremely worried about the rate of killings in the state.
He extended the Federal Government’s commitment to contain the killings and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Suspected armed Fulani herdsmen had on Friday last week launched coordinated attacks on Yelewata, a border community with Nasarawa State..
President Tinubu had directed security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to the state.
Tinubu tasked the governor to immediately initiate reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to end the incessant bloodshed and bring lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and communities.
Speaking at a meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia on Monday at government house in Makurdi, Egbetokun reiterated Tinubu’s worries over the killings in Benue which also touches on the territorial sovereignty of the nation.
Also speaking during the visit of the IGP, Alia appreciated the President and the Nigerian security services for stepping up operations to contain the attacks.
He, however, lamented the surge of attacks on vulnerable communities and called for strategies that would keep Benue residents safe.
The IGP later moved to the scene of the attacks in Yelewata for an on-the -spot assessment of the crisis in the Benue.
At Yelewata, the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun vowed that all criminal elements who have been operating with impunity in Benue State will be brought to justice.
IG Egbetokun who went to Yelwata in company of Governor Hyacinth Alia to assess the level of destruction, said the mindless attack is an attack on the sovereignity of the nation.
“I am in Benue to commiserate with you on the tragic attack on Yelwata and to assure the people that we will bring the criminal elements to justice as well as bring lasting peace to the State.
” I condole with the State Government and bereaved communities. The President is saddened and is committed that these attacks are stopped. We will work with you and other security agencies to bring a lasting solution to the State.
“We are aware of the vast terrain of the State, we will not be able to cover all the communities but we will deploy enough men. These criminal elements may have operated with impunity in the past but the days are approaching when they will no longer do so. We will defeat this evil”, IGP said.
Speaking with journalists after assessing the situation in Yelewata, the Chief of Defence Staff(CDS), Lt. General Christopher Musa, condemned the killings and commiserated with the governor of Benue State and the good people of the State.
He described the attacks as one too many, saying that he is going to meet with commanders of security formations so as to change strategies in order to curb the menace.
From here am going to see my commanders. We need to change our strategy, look inward and see how we can address it. We can’t do it alone without the State.We we need everybody to be part of it. You understand this before now even within us, we have betrayals who volunteer information. If you see the pattern of killings and slaughtering, it was a targeted attacks, which means there is an insider.
“I have discussed with the community and traditional rulers as well as clan heads for us to work in unity. There have been issue of trust but we are going to work on it. We are all going out to put measure in place. For us, this is going to be the last one that will happen. We are going to go all out to ensure that the system works.
“We have put measures in other places and it worked. Here is not going to be different. I want to assure Nigerians not only Benue State, that we are determined based on the mandate of Mr President to ensure that we restore peace and tranquility. We need Nigerians to support us, we must work as a team.
“We always have information that these people come and cross borders, whenever they are coming from. We are going to go after them and chase them away. We must take the battle to them and not waiting for them to attack. For the youths do not give up. This is our country, we can’t give our country out for anything. And this madness must stop”, CDS stated.
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr Hyacinth Alia who lauded the IGP for responding promptly to the senseless carnage that took place in Yelwata at the weekend, maintained that there was no cause for the blood bath.
The Governor said, “We appreciate you for responding promptly to our request and for supporting our fight in the State. The very day the carnage took place you called to condole with us. We are bleeding, we are in sorrow, I believe your visit will build our spirit and give us the assurance that we are not alone. Your team here have been working to support us.
“From the number of 17 LGAs, we trimmed it down to 6 but unfortunately there has been an upsurge. The various units you deployed have been supportive and we are grateful.
“Your presence will rekindle hope in the people. We are hopeful that all hands will be on deck, we will be victorious and this sorrowful narrative will be a thing of the past”, Alia alluded.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has rescheduled his official visit to Kaduna State. Instead, he will travel to Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, as part of renewed efforts to foster peace and address the persistent conflict affecting communities in the state.
The President’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy) in a statement, said during his stay, President Tinubu will meet with all stakeholders—including traditional rulers, political, religious, community leaders, and youth groups—to seek lasting solutions to the hostilities.
“In preparation for the visit, President Tinubu has already dispatched the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees to Benue State.
“The President is expected to hold a town hall meeting with all stakeholders during the visit.
“President Tinubu has previously condemned the ongoing violence in Benue State and called on all leaders and residents to embrace peace, love, and mutual understanding. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to all those who have suffered losses as a result of the crisis”, Onanuga said.
According to the President’s itinerary released over the weekend, President Tinubu was scheduled to visit Kaduna State on Wednesday to commission various state government projects. However, the official visit will now occur on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
