President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Benue State on Wednesday for a high-level visit following the spate of brutal killings that have plagued communities in the state, particularly Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area.
The President touched down at the Tactical Air Command of the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi at exactly 12:58pm on Wednesday. His visit came on the heels of widespread outrage and national mourning over repeated attacks that have claimed over a hundred lives in recent weeks.
While in the state, President Tinubu is expected to visit the hard-hit Yelwata community and engage in closed-door talks with key stakeholders, including traditional rulers, local government officials, and security chiefs. Sources within the Benue State Government say the discussions will focus on finding lasting solutions to the deepening security crisis.
In honour of the presidential visit, the Benue State Government declared Wednesday a public holiday, allowing residents to participate in and witness the President’s intervention.
This visit marks Tinubu’s first physical engagement in Benue State since the escalation of violence in the region. Many see the visit as a critical test of the administration’s willingness to tackle insecurity, especially in states ravaged by banditry, herder attacks, and communal clashes.
The Yelwata massacre, the most recent in a string of attacks, has drawn national condemnation and calls for decisive federal action with mounting pressure on the presidency to deliver justice and ensure safety.