President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has established a high-powered peace committee to end the cycle of violence in Benue State, following the killing of scores in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area.

Speaking during a town hall meeting at the Benue Government House in Makurdi on Wednesday, the President condemned the recent attack, which reportedly claimed over 100 lives. He urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to lead reconciliation efforts while calling for broad collaboration across community, traditional, and political lines.

“I assure you, we will find peace. We will convert this tragedy into prosperity,” Tinubu said, pledging federal support for peace and development.

Members of the committee include former Benue governors — Gen. Atom Kpera (retd.), George Akume, Gabriel Suswam, and Samuel Ortom — as well as traditional rulers HRM Prof. James Ayatse (Tor Tiv) and HRM Dr. John Elaigwu (Ochi’Idoma). The committee will also incorporate federal officials and non-indigenes.

The President ordered the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, to apprehend the perpetrators immediately.

“How come no arrest has been made? Let’s get those criminals,” he queried, urging the heads of intelligence agencies to upgrade surveillance and deliver actionable intelligence.

Calling on Alia to allocate land for ranching, Tinubu stressed that peace is critical to development. “We’re here to govern, not to bury people,” he said.

Earlier, Governor Alia appealed for a Federal Government Special Intervention Fund for communities ravaged by attacks. He also renewed calls for state policing as a lasting solution.

Tor Tiv, Prof. Ayatse, warned against misrepresenting the conflict. “This is a full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder-terrorists and bandits,” he said.

The Northern Elders Forum also described the killings as genocide enabled by government failure, while the Concerned Christian Youth Forum urged youths to remain vigilant and demanded accountability from leaders.

President Tinubu concluded with a promise: “I give you assurance — we will work with you to restore peace.”