MAKURDI, Nigeria — Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has declared Wednesday, 18 June 2025, a public holiday in honour of President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled visit to the state, following the recent mass killings in Yelewata and Daudu communities of Guma Local Government Area.
The announcement, made in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, by Deborah Aber, Secretary to the State Government, urged residents to come out en masse to receive the president, who will be undertaking a one-day commiseration visit.
“The Benue State Government has declared Wednesday 18th June 2025 as public holiday,” the statement read.
“This is in honour of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR, who is scheduled for a one-day visit to the State, to commiserate with the government and people of the State over incessant security crises.”
Aber stated that only security operatives, health workers, and banking staff are exempted from the holiday.
President Tinubu’s visit comes after widespread public criticism over his delayed response to the killings, in which over 100 residents were murdered by suspected armed herders.
The attacks, which occurred in the villages of Yelewata and Daudu, have drawn national condemnation and renewed calls for stronger federal intervention in Benue’s long-running security crisis.
Initially scheduled to visit Kaduna this week, President Tinubu postponed that trip to prioritise the situation in Benue.
During his visit, he is expected to meet with Governor Hyacinth Alia, traditional rulers, community leaders, and survivors of the attacks.
The presidential visit follows a series of high-profile reactions, including statements from the United Nations and the Catholic Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, both of whom condemned the violence and called for justice and peace in the region.
