Benue Loss Heartbreaking – President Tinubu Asks Police Why No Arrest Has Been Made

President Tinubu (left) visits some survivors of the attack who are on admission at a health facility

Source: Africa Publicity

Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described as “heartbreaking”, the scale of destruction and loss in Benue, asking the Nigerian police as to why no arrest has so far been made in the mass killings.

Mr. Tinubu visited Benue on Wednesday, June 18, 2025 and says “The scale of destruction and loss is heartbreaking.”

He has therefore directed Nigeria’s military and intelligence leaders to identify and arrest persons responsible for the recent killings in Benue State.

According to President Tinubu, the continued violence must be met with a clear and coordinated response from security forces.

Speaking to security chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and heads of intelligence agency at a stakeholders meeting in Makurdi on Wednesday, President Tinubu questioned the lack of arrests since the deadly attack on Yelwata community.

The recent attack left several people dead and displaced thousands of others.

And President Tinubu simply could not understand why a single arrest has not been made.

He asked: “Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made?”

The Nigerian President stressed: “I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals.”

According to Mr. Tinubu, “Christopher (the chief of defence staff), you have given much. I watch your comments, you can’t be tired of staying in the bush. Oloyede and the Air Marshal, we thank all of you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground, let’s get those criminals, let’s get them out. DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels and let’s have tangible intelligence so that this will not occur again.”

Mr. Tinubu noted the need for peacebuilding efforts, telling Governor Hyacinth Alia to work closely with past governors and traditional rulers in the state, warning that a failure to promote unity could further destabilize the state.

He says “We are members of the same house, just sleeping in different rooms. We need to turn this tragedy into an opportunity to rebuild trust and foster development. Human life is more valuable than anything else.”

The Nigerian leader called for a “leadership committee” comprising of political leaders and community representatives to be formed and convened in Abuja and as we design a plan for long-term peace.

According to him, “Whatever we need to do, I am ready to invest in that peace.”