By Divine Sam
President Bola Tinubu is set to visit Benue State today following the brutal killing of over 200 villagers by suspected herdsmen in a massacre that has shocked the nation.
This condolence visit comes days after widespread public outcry over Tinubu’s initial silence on the tragedy that struck Yelewata community last Friday. The attack, which left children, women, and the elderly dead, is being described by many as the deadliest in Benue’s recent history.
In his earlier response, Tinubu had urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to initiate reconciliation and dialogue among the warring groups. However, critics slammed the move as inadequate in the face of such extreme violence.
Unfortunately, the wave of violence has not been contained. Fresh attacks have now been reported in Enugu and Abia States, where terrorized residents live in fear.
In Enugu’s Aguamede and Eha-Amufu communities, over 10 people were reportedly hacked to death in a Sunday assault allegedly carried out by herdsmen. Eyewitnesses claim the attackers may have been air-dropped by a helicopter that circled the area earlier that day. The attackers used machetes instead of guns, catching villagers by surprise.
This comes on the heels of a similar attack last week in Mbuji Eha-Amufu where four more lives were lost. From 2017 to 2022, Eha-Amufu alone has recorded over 20 deadly attacks resulting in at least 123 deaths, underscoring a pattern of ongoing terror.
Abia State has not been spared either. Armed herdsmen reportedly invaded Umunneochi and Isuikwuato, with several fatalities confirmed by the state’s Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu. Though he withheld specific figures, Kanu acknowledged a “security breach” and said that law enforcement had been placed on full alert.
Locals recount that the attacks occurred at night, with homes set ablaze and local vigilantes outmatched. Many families fled into the surrounding forests.
Voicing concern, Prof. Joy Ezeilo, a former United Nations Special Rapporteur and respected human rights advocate, demanded immediate federal intervention. “This is a national emergency. Every Nigerian life matters. The government must act swiftly and transparently to restore peace and trust,” she said.
Security expert Dr. Kabiru Adamu described Tinubu’s visit as a political gesture rather than a security solution. He warned that without a concrete security strategy, the president’s trip will only offer temporary political relief.
“This visit must go beyond optics,” Adamu urged. “Tinubu needs to set a credible tone by deploying a real security architecture that addresses the root causes of the violence.”
As Nigerians await the president’s action, fear continues to spread across the Middle Belt and Southeast, with many questioning whether the federal government is truly prepared to stop the bloodshed.
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