*Urges Gov Alia to accommodate all stakeholders, criticisms
From Joseph Uchenna, in Makurdi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has challenged security agencies in the country to be awake to their responsibility of securing the lives of the citizens.
The President handed this charge in Makurdi, Benue State capital on Wednesday during his visit to commiserate with the people on the massacre of over 200 persons by armed herdsmen on June 13, 2025, insisting on ranching as panacea.
According to him, “Benue has vast land that can produce food to give our children. Give me a portion of land so that after leaving office, we will share the profit. We cannot have food sovereignity if we continue in conflict.”
President Tinubu who questioned why no arrest had been made, urged the Inspector-Gerneral of Police Kayode Egbetokun to target the criminals out even as he called on the DGs DSS, NSIA to be alert, returned and retool their strategies to ensure such incident does not happen again.
He lamented over the carnage, stressing that he shares in the grief of the people.
Said he, “I saw the carnage on camera and this was enough for me to abort my trip to Kaduna to do something about this.
“We arrived here seeing gloomy faces. This is not the kind of faces I would like to see. I want to come here and commission projects and give joy but we are here to help you with peace which is vital for Development. You, Governor are elected under the Progressives banner to develop. You are not elected to bring sympathy. You will work with us and we will work with you to show us the way.
“All politics is local. You are here to work for peace Nobody will like you in politics. They hate me like hell but am President. I will even protect my haters with the principles of democracy. You were elected one out of million of Tiv, Idoma and other tribes to work hard night and day. Work around the corners of your enemies. You are to work hard and pray as a Father, you are a father to all of us including me since you do not have a nucleus family.
“Benue people deserve peace. Please announce in a statewide broadcast for people to donate blood to the survivors whom I visited at the Teaching hospital”.
While noting that the killings is about land grabbing President Tinubu said there is enough land to accommodate and feed our children.
He called on leaders to sincerely and genuinely reflect on the country’s anthem which says, ‘though tongue and tribe may differ in brotherhood we stand, noting that this must reflect in our character in developing our people and finding a channel to preach oneness and unity.
He also, advised the Governor Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia to constitute a committee comprising of former governors including Gen Atom Kpera, the Tor Tiv, Och’Idoma and other stakeholders to find permanent solution and peace.
“Let us find a way to form a committee of elders which should comprise past Governors, bring them to me in Abuja and I will invest in it. We should fight our enemies together and not fight each other. As Governor you bear the yoke, that is part of leadership. You must go round to seek these leaders. Ask them questions and let them help you seek solutions.
“Our tolerance level and value for human lives is greater than cows and it is when you open the doors that political enemies can come in. I learn lessons from from critical abuse. From the mouths of my critics, it prompts me to do alot so that it makes them look like failures and I, a performer. Create synergy for peace and devoloment to strive. Fasten your belt tto give development make the people your priority that is when you can execute good projects. You no longer borrow to pay salaries. Turn the problem to prosperity, the President charged Governor Alia.
