The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has pledged to end the persistent violence plaguing Benue communities, conveying the Federal Government's commitment to contain the killings and bring perpetrators to justice.
The promise comes after a weekend of violence in Yelewata, a border town in Benue State, where numerous residents were killed in what has been described as a vicious attack by suspected herdsmen.
Following the incident, President Bola Tinubu directed security chiefs to implement his earlier mandate to bring lasting peace and security to the state. The president also urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to convene reconciliation meetings between the warring parties to end the bloodshed and foster harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and communities.
IGP Meets with Benue Governor
During a meeting with Governor Alia on Monday at the government house in Makurdi, IGP Egbetokun emphasized that President Tinubu was deeply concerned about the killings in Benue, which also touch on Nigeria's territorial sovereignty.
"I will put an end to the incessant killing bedeviling Benue communities," Egbetokun stated firmly during the meeting.
Governor Alia expressed appreciation to the President and Nigerian security services for intensifying operations to contain the attacks. However, he lamented the surge of violence against vulnerable communities and called for more effective strategies to protect Benue residents.
Following the meeting, the IGP proceeded to Yelewata to personally assess the situation and develop a comprehensive approach to containing the crisis in Benue.
Escalating Violence in Benue
The recent attack in Yelewata has reportedly claimed numerous lives, adding to the growing list of casualties in what some local groups have described as "ethnic cleansing." Reports indicate that as many as 127 persons may have been killed in the Yelewata community alone.
President Tinubu has announced plans to visit Benue on Wednesday to address the situation personally, underscoring the federal government's concern about the escalating violence in the region.
The farmer-herder conflicts in Benue have been a persistent challenge, with recurring violence despite various interventions by state and federal authorities.
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