ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has issued a renewed directive to Nigeria’s security chiefs to take decisive action in ending the ongoing violence in Benue State, following another wave of reprisal attacks that have left many dead.
In a statement released on Sunday, June 15, 2025, the President described the bloodshed as “inhuman and anti-progress” and called for immediate action to restore order and ensure lasting peace in the troubled region.
“The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough,” Tinubu said.
He confirmed that top intelligence officials, police personnel, and military commanders have been deployed to the state to oversee operations aimed at stabilising the area and apprehending those responsible for the violence.
“I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them,” the President said.
The president also placed responsibility on political and community leaders, urging them to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric that could inflame existing tensions.
“Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings,” he said.
President Tinubu specifically tasked Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State with initiating a robust reconciliation process among the warring groups, including farmers, herders, and local communities.
“This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue,” Tinubu said.
“Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice.”
I have been briefed on the senseless bloodletting in Benue State.
Enough is enough! I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them.
Political and community leaders in Benue State…
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) June 15, 2025
