In a decisive move aimed at restoring peace and stability in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has convened an emergency security and reconciliation summit focused on ending the persistent violence in Benue State. The high-level meeting, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, brought together military top brass, key security chiefs, and influential former governors from across party lines.
The President’s action follows a recent spike in deadly attacks on communities in Benue, resulting in dozens of casualties and the displacement of thousands. The wave of violence, largely blamed on armed herder militias and retaliatory communal clashes, has sparked national concern and drawn calls for urgent intervention.
Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu condemned the killings in strong terms and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting all Nigerians, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political affiliation.
“This bloodshed must stop. Our constitution does not recognize zones of anarchy,” the President declared. “Benue is not a war zone — it is the food basket of the nation. We must act with unity, resolve, and compassion.”
The meeting included former Benue State governors such as Senator George Akume and Chief Gabriel Suswam, as well as prominent figures from neighboring states affected by the conflict. The presence of both former and serving leaders signaled a new bipartisan approach to resolving the long-standing crisis.
National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa briefed the gathering on new security strategies, including the deployment of special forces to affected LGAs, increased aerial surveillance, and improved intelligence coordination with local vigilante groups.
However, President Tinubu emphasized that the solution must go beyond force. “We must also win the peace — not just the war. This means justice, dialogue, and rebuilding broken trust,” he noted.
Also unveiled at the summit was a new federal initiative: the Benue Peace and Recovery Framework, a multi-agency plan that includes the rebuilding of destroyed communities, the rehabilitation of displaced persons, and the launch of a grassroots peace dialogue led by traditional rulers, faith leaders, and youth representatives.
The President has directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to work closely with the Benue State Government to fast-track relief for internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom have spent years in overcrowded camps.
Former governor Suswam praised the President’s initiative, stating, “What we’ve seen today is leadership. If this level of commitment is sustained, we can begin to dream of a peaceful Benue once again.”
Civil society groups and regional observers have also welcomed the move, calling it “the most comprehensive effort yet” to address the conflict holistically.
A follow-up meeting is scheduled to take place in Makurdi next month, where a Presidential Task Force will engage directly with local stakeholders. President Tinubu is expected to visit Benue in person to assess the situation and reassure the people of the federal government’s long-term commitment.
As Nigerians look to the horizon for peace, many now view this gathering as a turning point — not just for Benue, but for the nation’s quest to end cyclical violence and build a future anchored on justice, security, and unity.
