Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to tackle the ongoing violence in Benue State and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
This comes in the aftermath of a deadly assault over the weekend in Yelewata, a border community in Benue, where suspected herdsmen launched a brutal attack that claimed several lives.
In response, President Bola Tinubu instructed security chiefs to fully enforce his earlier mandate aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region. He also urged the state governor to initiate reconciliation efforts, including dialogue among conflicting groups, to stem the cycle of violence and foster peaceful coexistence between herders, farmers, and local communities.
Speaking at a meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia on Monday at the government house in Makurdi, Egbetokun reiterated Tinubu’s worries over the killings in Benue which also touches on the territorial sovereignty of the nation.
While receiving the Inspector General of Police at the Government House, Governor Hyacinth Alia extended his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the nation’s security architecture for their swift response and intensified efforts to stem the violence across Benue State. He acknowledged the federal government’s increased commitment to restoring peace, particularly in areas ravaged by persistent attacks.
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However, the governor also raised serious concerns over the continued assaults on vulnerable rural communities, describing the rising toll of casualties and displacement as deeply troubling. He emphasized the urgent need for a more coordinated, sustainable security strategy—one that not only addresses immediate threats but also prevents future outbreaks of violence. Alia called for proactive intelligence gathering, stronger community engagement, and long-term peacebuilding mechanisms tailored to the unique challenges in the state.
After the high-level meeting, IGP Kayode Egbetokun departed for Yelewata, the border community recently struck by violence, to get a firsthand understanding of the situation on the ground. His visit was aimed at assessing the scale of the destruction, engaging with local stakeholders, and devising informed security responses to contain the crisis and restore stability to the affected areas.