*Suspected herdsmen killed 59 in fresh attack, Gov Alia confirms
*Atiku condemns fresh Benue killings, says ‘We must hold leaders accountable’
*Pope Leo deplores recent killings in Benue, prays for “security, justice, peace” to prevail
Emeka Agu Jnr with agency report
President Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to Benue State.
President Tinubu renewed his order in the wake of the latest round of reprisal attacks that led to the death of many people, Mr Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, said in a statement.
“On the President’s directive, intelligence chiefs, police and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity,” Onanuga stated.
Tinubu equally charged the governor to convene reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to bring lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders and communities.
Describing the killings and bloodletting as inhuman and anti-progress, Tinubu called on political leaders and community leaders in conflict areas to stop fuelling the crisis through unguarded utterances and statements that could further inflame tensions.
“They should also rein in those who go out to cause provocations and ignite reprisal.
“The latest news of wanton killings in Benue is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough.
“I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them,” said the President.
He stated that political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.
“This is the time for Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue.
“Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice,” Tinubu said.
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia on Sunday confirmed the killing of 59 persons at Yelewata, where unidentified gunmen attacked the border town.
Addressing journalists at the Government House, Alia said the figures were based on physical head counts by security agencies working with families of those killed.
Among those killed were military and civil defence personnel who fought to defend Yelewata against the attacks.
Governor Alia also gave some credit to his Nasarawa State counterpart, Abdullahi Sule, who shared some intelligence on the killings which also left one woman dead on the Nasarawa axis.
The governor gave the details when he received a report from the panel of inquiry on the militia activities in the Sankera axis and pledged to commit to the appropriate authority and investigate the persons indicated in the report to ensure peace returned to Sankera.
Also, former vice president and the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, at the weekend condemned the recent attack in Yelwata, Benue State that left many feared dead and called on Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable.
Atiku, in a statement posted on his X account, said the killings underscored the escalating insecurity crisis facing Nigeria.
“I am deeply anguished and shocked by the devastating news of the fresh attacks in Benue State, where over 100 innocent lives are feared lost. These killings, once again targeting defenceless communities, underscore the escalating insecurity crisis facing our nation,” he stated on Saturday night.
The former vice president said the sorrow felt by those orphaned, displaced, and widowed by the attackers could not be adequately expressed in words.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families and communities who have suffered unimaginable loss. As a nation, we must pause and reflect on the mounting human toll of this senseless violence.
“I urge the Federal Government and Benue State authorities to launch a prompt, transparent investigation into the attack. The identities of the perpetrators must be swiftly uncovered and justice served.
“Enhance security presence in the region, deploying necessary resources, personnel, equipment, and intelligence to guarantee the protection of vulnerable rural areas,” he said.
He also called for an engagement with affected communities through dialogue, traditional leadership, and civil society to restore confidence and foster resilience.
According to him, compensation and support efforts, including medical aid, trauma counselling, and livelihood restoration should be accelerated for survivors and bereaved families.
Atiku added: “This assault on innocent Nigerians is not just a local tragedy, it is a national emergency that demands immediate attention and decisive action. I call on all Nigerians regardless of tribe or religion to unite in condemning this atrocity.
“We must hold our leaders accountable and insist on sustainable solutions to the violent tragedies claiming lives across the country. May God comfort the grieving families, heal our nation, and help us reclaim peace and security for all.”
In a related development, Pope Leo XIV has condemned the recent killings in Benue, describing the incident as a “terrible massacre” in which mostly displaced civilians were murdered with “extreme cruelty”.
Delivering his remarks before the Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican, the pontiff expressed deep concern over the ongoing violence in Nigeria and the suffering of affected communities.
The Pope prayed for “security, justice, and peace” to prevail in the country and offered special intercession for the rural Christian communities in Benue, whom he described as “relentless victims of violence.”
