Benue Massacre:
President Bola Tinubu will visit Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in response to renewed waves of violence that have claimed dozens of lives and displaced many. This visit, originally scheduled for Kaduna, underscores the urgency the presidency is placing on resolving the ongoing security crisis in the region.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the shift in the president’s itinerary in a statement on Monday, noting that the Kaduna trip has now been rescheduled to Thursday, June 19.
“The sudden change was necessitated by the spectre of murder and arson in different parts of Benue State in recent time,” Onanuga stated.
The most recent attack occurred on Saturday, June 14, when suspected herdsmen killed 59 people, mostly women and children, and razed properties worth billions of naira.
In reaction to the tragedy, President Tinubu is expected to meet with traditional rulers, religious and political leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders during a town hall meeting aimed at finding lasting solutions to the persistent violence.
“This visit will allow the President to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction,” Onanuga explained.
To pave the way for the high-level engagement, Tinubu has already dispatched a federal delegation to Benue, comprising the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, intelligence chiefs, and the chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Defence.
President Tinubu has previously condemned the bloodshed in Benue and called on citizens to embrace peace, love, and mutual understanding. He also extended condolences to the families affected by the crisis.
“As a leader, the President is deeply pained by the loss of lives and continues to urge all sides to work together for the restoration of peace in the state,” Onanuga added.
