Acting on President Bola Tinubu’s directive to form an inclusive peace and reconciliation committee to help restore calm after the massacre of over 200 persons in the Yelewata community, by suspected armed herders, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on Wednesday met with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume in Abuja to discuss the way forward.
The President, who visited Makurdi in the wake of the deadly attacks, despite his earlier directive to heads of the nation’s security agencies including the Chief of Army, Defence, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), declared that such a peace committee must include all stakeholders—former governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and even non-indigenes—to meet with him immediately in Abuja.
“Let’s establish the committee of leaders. We cannot do without one another. Whatever we need to do, I will want us—this leadership committee now— we’ll meet in Abuja to really fashion out the nucleus of a lasting peace, and I’m ready to invest in that peace”, the President told a town hall meeting held at the Government House in Makurdi.
“Today, I paid a surprise visit to Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), at his Maitama residence in Abuja,” Governor Alia wrote on his official Facebook page.
He said “It was a warm and insightful interaction marked by mutual respect, unity, and deep reflection on both state and national issues, as well as a shared commitment to the progress of our dear state and nation.”
Before their meeting at Akume’s Maitama residence, the SGF has since been consulting with major stakeholders across Benue, including the paramount rulers of the Tiv and Idoma.
SGF Akume met with Tor Tiv, who doubles as Chairman of the Benue State Council of Chiefs, HRM. Professor James Ayatse at his palace in Gboko and the Och’ Idoma, HRM. John Elaigwu Odogbo in his palace in Otukpo, and other prominent Benue elders.
SGF Akume was only being true to his words as he had pledged to the President to lead and coordinate the peace-building efforts, working closely with all key stakeholders in the state.
Among those endorsing the President’s timely intervention is the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Utsev, who praised the visit as a clear demonstration of servant leadership concerned with citizens’ welfare.
If the President had not visited, he would not have obtained firsthand information about the severity of insecurity affecting Benue State, which was gathered through direct interaction with its people.
The unity between these two Benue leaders is widely regarded as essential for promoting collaboration and consensus among political figures, a vital step toward tackling the persistent security issues and violence in the state.
Similar to his visit to SGF Akume, the Benue Governor is expected to hold meetings soon, with former governors Samuel Ortom, Senator Gabriel Suswam, and Elder Atom Kpera. These consultations will precede the formation of the committee mandated by the President to develop lasting solutions to the longstanding violence in the state.
Analyst Kabir Adamu, head of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, told an international media outfit recently that according to their database, 1,043 people were killed in Benue between May 2023 and May 2025, an escalating situation that is becoming worrisome.
Amid the ongoing killings, an issue of significant concern is the recent blame game by several stakeholders, including Governor Alia himself, who has accused Benue political officeholders in Abuja of orchestrating the insecurity in the state.
NewsQuest reports that the main opposition party in Benue, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), through a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, condemned the Governor’s allegations as an act of political escapism. The PDP described the claims as not only irresponsible but also dangerously diverting attention from the urgent and substantive actions required to resolve the crisis.
By fostering political unity and collaboration, jointly utilizing federal security mechanisms, sharing credible intelligence and evidence, and embracing an inclusive, grassroots approach, SGF Akume and Governor Alia—under the renewed peace accord initiated by President Tinubu’s directive—could successfully bring about peace in the ‘food basket’.
As the Benue people await the results of President Tinubu’s directive to security agencies to apprehend those responsible for the recent killings, Governor Alia and SGF Akume should seize the opportunity to reinforce their renewed relationship, prioritizing the urgent need for peace in Benue.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata? Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately,” this concern by the President must be included in the discussions as leaders explore additional strategies to put an end to the ‘madness’ caused by armed herdsmen in the state.
