Makurdi, Benue State – On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrived in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, at approximately 12:58 pm, touching down at the Tactical Air Command of the Nigerian Air Force Base. The visit, prompted by a recent wave of brutal attacks in the Yelwata community of Guma Local Government Area (LGA), marks a significant moment of national attention to the escalating security crisis in the North-Central state. Tinubu’s trip follows widespread outrage over the massacre of over 200 people, including women and children, in coordinated attacks reportedly perpetrated by armed herders, which have left communities devastated and thousands displaced.
The President’s arrival was met with a mix of anticipation and skepticism. While some residents expressed hope that his presence signals a renewed federal commitment to tackling the persistent violence, others voiced frustration, questioning the effectiveness of the visit in addressing deep-rooted issues. “President Tinubu is coming to Benue State to campaign, nothing else. Did we have this kind of security when people were being killed by herdsmen?” a Makurdi resident remarked, highlighting the heavy security presence accompanying the President, a stark contrast to the lack of intervention during the attacks.
The Yelwata massacre, which occurred on the night of June 13-14, 2025, has been described as one of the deadliest in Benue’s recent history. Armed invaders, identified by locals as suspected Lakurawa bandits and herders, attacked the community with sophisticated weapons, including explosives, and used fuel to set homes ablaze, wiping out entire families. According to local sources and the Benue State House of Assembly, the death toll exceeds 200, with over 3,000 residents displaced and many others injured. The attack targeted vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) hosted by a local Catholic mission, prompting global condemnation, including from Pope Leo XIV, who described it as a “terrible massacre” during his Sunday Angelus.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, a Catholic priest, declared a public holiday in honor of the President’s visit, framing it as a gesture of solidarity and empathy. “The President’s coming at this critical time shows leadership. It depicts his concern and readiness to take a bold step in the face of worsening insecurity,” Alia stated. However, tensions between the state government and the Benue House of Assembly have surfaced, with lawmakers accusing the governor and his administration of failing to protect citizens. In a plenary session, Peter Uche (APC/Guma I) likened the attacks to the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, emphasizing the government’s constitutional duty to ensure security, which he claimed has been neglected for over two decades.
Tinubu’s itinerary includes a visit to the Yelwata community to meet with victims’ families, displaced persons, and community leaders, followed by a closed-door town hall meeting at the Benue State Government House with political, traditional, and religious leaders. The discussions are expected to focus on enforcing the state’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017, which aims to regulate animal husbandry and curb farmer-herder conflicts. Speaker Aondona Dajoh has urged the President to deploy military and police forces to enforce this law, a call echoed by local leaders who believe its weak implementation has fueled the violence.
The crisis in Benue is part of a broader pattern of intercommunal clashes in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, driven by disputes over land, grazing rights, and ethnic tensions. The Yelwata attack follows similar incidents in Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo LGAs earlier this year, with hundreds killed and thousands displaced. In April, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu visited Benue, promising federal support, yet the attacks have persisted. Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun also visited Yelwata on June 16, vowing to deploy additional tactical teams and revise operational strategies to restore peace. “We must find out where they are. We must go after them,” Musa declared, dismissing claims of military sabotage.
However, the scale of the violence has sparked calls for drastic measures. The Benue House of Assembly and opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, have urged Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state to address the crisis decisively. Political analyst Enenche Obonyilo Peter noted the complexity of the situation, citing sentiments that herders are imported from neighboring countries or motivated by cattle rustling disputes. He warned that the President will face a grieving population whose farmlands have become graves and schools now serve as IDP camps.
As Makurdi buzzes with security deployments and political banners, many residents remain disengaged, focused on their daily struggles. “We want solutions, not visits,” a local trader told reporters, reflecting a sentiment echoed across social media. With the nation watching, Tinubu’s visit is seen as a critical test of his administration’s resolve to address Benue’s security nightmare and deliver justice to its people.
The President is expected to deliver a national address following his engagements, as the country awaits concrete actions to end the bloodshed in Benue and beyond.
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