President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Makurdi, Benue State’s capital, to address the recent spike in communal violence, including the deadly Yelewata attack that killed over 100 people.
Landing at the Nigerian Air Force Tactical Air Command Base at 12:58 p.m., Tinubu was received by top state and federal officials. His visit comes amid mounting national and international concern over the rising death toll in Benue, where over 500 lives have been lost to violence in 2025 alone.
The President is scheduled to begin his visit in Yelewata, the epicentre of the most recent killings.
According to government officials, the attackers stormed the village late Friday and continued into the early hours of Saturday, killing scores, injuring dozens, and razing homes. Many of the victims were internally displaced persons who had taken refuge in the community after earlier raids.
After his stop in Yelewata, President Tinubu is expected to visit some of the injured receiving treatment in nearby medical facilities. He will then proceed to the Benue State Government House in Makurdi to chair a town hall meeting with stakeholders across political, traditional, and civil society platforms.
The meeting is expected to include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; APC National Chairman, Dr. Umar Ganduje; governors from the North Central zone; and federal lawmakers representing affected constituencies.
Also in attendance are members of the APC National Working Committee, the Benue State Executive Council, traditional rulers, religious leaders, the Elders’ Council, chairmen of the 23 LGAs, and party officials at the local level.
The Benue State Government declared Wednesday a public holiday to allow for broad participation in the events surrounding the President’s visit.
The federal and state governments have pledged to intensify security operations and support affected communities. However, residents in parts of Benue continue to express fear of renewed attacks, especially as the rainy season heightens tensions over land use between farmers and herders.
