Tinubu in Benue, says “value of human life greater than that of a cow”

President Bola Tinubu directed the police inspector, Kayode Egbetokun, and the head of the defense staff, Christopher Musa, to immediately arrest the assassin shepherds who perpetrated the atrocious killing of over 100 people in the Yelewata community in the state of Benue.

President Tinubu held the directive as he turned to the interested parties at the government chamber, Makurdi.

The meeting included the secretary of the federal government, George Akume, the traditional sovereigns and former government governors.

The governors of Kwara, Imo, Kogi, Plateau, Ondo and Nasarawa also participated in the meeting.

President Tinubu called the police inspector to find out why arrests were not made.

“How come no one was arrested for committing this atrocious crime in Yelewata? Police general inspector, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” said President Tinubu.

He urged the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and collect usable information to arrest the authors.

He told the head of the defense staff, General Christopher Musa, of the need for vigilance and collaboration between community and security forces.

By recommending the governor to the importance of the management of the parties concerned for peaceful and progressive governance, the president urged the governor to establish a peace committee in the state that will include former governors of Benue, the elderly, traditional sovereigns, federal and non -indigenous government officials who live in the state.

“We remember again in Abuja. We shape a painting painting. I am ready to invest in that peace. I assure you, we will find peace. We will convert this tragedy in prosperity,” he said.

President Tinubu urged the governor Hyacinth to the Benue State to allocate land for the ranch and directed the minister of agriculture and food security to follow.

He asked for blood donations to support the injuries that receive care at the Benue State Teaching Hospital, where he had previously visited victims and medical staff.

While underlined the importance of peace for sustainable development, President Tinubu implied the governor to ensure that Benue is peaceful, adding that the circumstances of his visit this time should not have been a reason to visit.

“I wanted to come here to commission the projects, to reassure hope and prosperity, not to see dark faces. But peace is vital for development,” he said.

“The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people,” he underlined.

He accused the governor at the work of working with the federal government to restore peace.

“Governor alia, you have been elected under the progressive banner to guarantee peace, stability and progress. You are not elected to bury people or comfort widows and orphans. We will work with you to achieve that peace. You must also work with us.

“Not everyone will like in politics. They also hate me, like hell. But here I am, your president still. I made a promise to protect democracy, freedom and prosperity, even for my abusators and accusers. This is the leadership,” underlined the president.

In his observations, Governor Hyacinth ALIA appealed to the Federal Government to establish a special intervention fund for the communities affected by repeated violent attacks throughout the state.

“Your excellence, while we continue to cry our losses and reconstruct from the ashes of pain, humbly urge the federal government to consider the idea of ​​establishing a special intervention fund for the communities affected by these incessant attacks in the state of Benue,” he said.

The governor alia said that the fund will support the rehabilitation of displaced people, the reconstruction of houses and destroyed infrastructures and the restoration of the means of subsistence, in particular for farmers.

He reiterated his support to establish the State Police as a lasting solution to insecurity.

The governor promised his administration’s full commitment to build a state of Benue sure, stable and prosperous.

Speaking also at the meeting, the president of the traditional Council of the State of Benue, Tor Tiv, Prof. Orchiviirigh James Ayatse, praised President Tinubu for having been the first president sitting to personally visit the victims in the hospital following such a tragedy.

He thanked the president for having appointed Benue indigenous indigenies in key positions, including the secretary of the Federation of the Federation and the Minister of Resources and Hygienic Services -Sanitari, Professor Joseph Utsev, while expressed hope that further appointments will follow.

On the recurring wave of insecurity in the state, the monarch took the time to deal with disinformation and non -incorrect characterization, stating that the affirmation of the land is at the center of the ten -year conflict.

“Your excellence, it is not about the clashes of farmers.

He warned that erroneously characterizing the crisis had led to inadequate answers and accused some political actors of exploiting the situation for selfish gain.

“We feel that some politicians would even prefer that the worst crisis would serve as a basis to declare a state of emergency. This is a shame. Any politician who prays for more people to die for such a project is working against the wishes of the people of the state Benue,” he said.

Therefore, he appealed to President Tinubu to restore peace to the state and every part of Nigeria.

“Everything we ask you, Lord, is to stop our tears. Give us peace in Benue’s state, so our people, mainly farmers, can return to their farms and continue to produce food for Nigeria.

“I heard a story on a challenge in a place in Kwara’s state, and you made peace in Kaiama. You can do it for Benue.”