President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday declared that the value of human lives supersedes that of cows during his visit to Benue State following deadly attacks in multiple communities.

"The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We are here to govern, not to bury," Tinubu stated during a stakeholders meeting in Makurdi, the Benue State capital. "We want to handover to the generation yet unborn."

Presidential Response to Deadly Attacks

The President's visit comes in the wake of killings in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, and other communities along the Benue-Nasarawa corridor. Governor Hyacinth Alia has attributed these attacks to armed herders with interests in Benue lands, with the death toll reportedly exceeding 200.

Upon arrival at the Tactical Air Command of the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi, Tinubu immediately visited the hospital to meet with injured victims before proceeding to the stakeholders meeting.

During the meeting, the President urged Governor Alia and the people of Benue State to collaborate with the federal government in addressing the persistent security challenges in the region.

Broader Context of Farmer-Herder Conflicts

The Benue crisis represents one of Nigeria's most enduring security challenges, with tensions between farming communities and herders frequently escalating into deadly violence. The state has been particularly affected due to its implementation of anti-open grazing laws, which have been a point of contention.

In related statements during his visit, Tinubu reportedly told Governor Alia to "be ready for insults" as that is the "hallmark of leadership," while also suggesting that "political enemies" were working against the governor's success.

The President also reportedly ordered service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police to pursue those responsible for the killings, expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of arrests days after the massacre.

In a candid moment during his address, Tinubu remarked, "They hate me like hell but I'm their President," while appealing to Benue residents and leadership to provide land for ranching as part of efforts to find lasting solutions to the conflict.

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