President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday announced plans to form a leadership committee to bring lasting peace to Benue State, which has faced recurring attacks by suspected herdsmen.
During a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, Tinubu said that the committee would include traditional rulers such as the Tor Tiv and Och’Idoma, and other stakeholders to address the crisis in Benue State.
His word: “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.
“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, ” he said at the meeting.
The president noted that the committee would meet in Abuja to develop a framework for lasting peace in the state.
Tinubu expressed his willingness to invest in peace initiatives for Benue State, just as he emphasised the need for Nigerians to unite against common enemies rather than fighting among themselves.
Tinubu mandated the service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police to apprehend those behind the killings in Benue State.
He further said, “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, ” he added .
He directed the DG NIA and DG SSS to enhance their information channels to prevent future attacks.
”DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels, and let’s have tangible intelligence so that this will not occur again, ” he added.
The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including Governor Hyacinth Alia, the Tor Tiv V, service chiefs, and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
