President Bola Tinubu

Amid national outrage over the massacre of more than 200 people in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, President Bola Tinubu is expected to visit the state today to meet with stakeholders and assess the deepening security crisis firsthand.

The killings, which took place Friday night, saw heavily armed attackers burn homes and slaughter men, women, and children, prompting widespread condemnation from across the country and abroad. The United Nations has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the attacks.

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu said the visit aims to seek lasting peace in the state. “The president’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction,” he stated.

In preparation, the President dispatched high-level officials—including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), service chiefs, and defence committee chairpersons from the National Assembly—to consult with local leaders and coordinate a security response.

Ahead of the visit, SGF Senator George Akume led a consultative meeting in Makurdi involving retired military generals, political figures, and community leaders. According to Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Public Communication, Sunday Dare, “This time, a renewed commitment to stopping the bloodletting and finding a lasting solution seems on hand.”

However, tensions are escalating between the executive and the Benue State House of Assembly, which, during an emotional session on Tuesday, passed a damning resolution stating that Governor Hyacinth Alia, his deputy, and all 32 lawmakers had failed the people.

“The governor has failed, the deputy governor has failed, and the 32 of us have failed,” said Hon. Thomas Dugeri, who represents the Kwande West constituency. “The time has come when we have to wake up and live up to our responsibilities.”

Other lawmakers described the Yelewata attack as genocide and compared it to historic atrocities such as the Rwandan genocide and the Holocaust. They called for a three-day period of mourning from Wednesday to Friday and urged full enforcement of the state’s anti-open grazing law.

“The funds of local government should go back to them,” said Minority Leader Michael Audu, lamenting that underfunded third-tier governance was exacerbating insecurity. Another member, Peter Puusu, added, “There is no local government system in Benue again.”

Meanwhile, Governor Alia, through his Commissioner for Information, Mathew Abo, rejected claims of negligence. “The governor has not failed in providing security… “You don’t expect him to carry guns and go to the bush,” Abo stated, citing the administration’s support for security operations.

In addition to public criticism, political parties and civil society organisations have taken divergent positions on the security crisis. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) have called for a state of emergency, accusing President Tinubu of silence and inaction.

Timothy Osadolor, PDP National Youth Leader, said, “The president has failed woefully. This is not about economic reform. This is about the survival of the Nigerian people.”

CUPP spokesperson Mark Adebayo added, “It seems the federal government is behaving as if Benue State is not part of Nigeria. The government of Benue is afraid. The governor is asleep. He’s a big disappointment.”

However, the APC and Benue State PDP chapter rejected these calls. “This insecurity is not only in Benue State,” said APC spokesperson James Onguga. “The situation in Borno is worse than this, and there is no call for emergency rule.”

Benue PDP spokesperson, Tim Nyior, echoed this stance: “We don’t subscribe to the total removal of democratic structures. Deploy more troops like Jonathan did in Borno and Yobe.”

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has directed military commanders to intensify operations under Operation Whirl Stroke. “There must be stronger collaboration with communities to end this violence,” he ordered.

As President Tinubu arrives in Makurdi, the stakes are high. Roads are being repaired and hotels are fully booked, signalling the gravity of the moment. Whether the visit leads to action or becomes another missed opportunity remains to be seen.