Akume Begins Peace Talks With Traditional Rulers • Channels Television

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has commenced consultations with traditional leaders in Benue as part of efforts to implement President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the establishment of a Peace Committee to tackle insecurity in the state.

In a statement issued on Saturday by Terrence Kuanum, Special Adviser on Public Affairs to the SGF, Akume visited the Tor Tiv James Ortese Ayatse, and the Och’Idoma, John Elaigwu Odogbo, at their palaces in Makurdi and Otukpo, respectively.

The consultations, aimed at fine-tuning modalities for the speedy implementation of the president’s directive, which followed his condolence and solidarity visit to the state on Wednesday in the wake of a deadly attack in Yelewata that reportedly claimed over 200 lives.

Senator Akume informed both traditional rulers of their inclusion on the Peace Committee as mandated by President Tinubu.

He emphasised the need for swift consensus-building toward an inclusive and effective committee capable of restoring peace and stability to the troubled region.

According to him, the President is gravely concerned about the impact of continued violence on Benue’s status as Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse and a critical driver of national food security.

The SGF expressed gratitude to the royal fathers for their roles in warmly receiving the president during his recent visit and urged them to ensure the traditional institution remains active in securing local communities.

Both the Tor Tiv and the Och’Idoma commended the Federal Government’s intervention and pledged their full commitment to the peace-building process. The SGF was accompanied on the visits by several prominent Benue figures.

Incessant Killings 

The Tor Tiv has previously described the Benue attacks as “a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land-grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits.”

The rising death toll and destruction have provoked nationwide outrage and international condemnation. Pope Leo XIV described the latest Yelewata massacre as “a terrible tragedy” and called for urgent intervention to end the violence.

The state has faced a prolonged wave of violent attacks, often blamed on suspected herdsmen. Many observers have linked the crisis to conflicts over land between indigenous farming communities and nomadic pastoralists.

In the past two months alone, over 160 people have been killed across several communities. In one of the most recent incidents, scores were murdered and more than 3,000 displaced during an overnight raid on Yelewata. While government figures put the death toll at 59, civil society groups insist the number exceeds 200.

Amid growing criticism from opposition figures and human rights groups, President Tinubu on Wednesday visited Benue to assess the security situation and commiserate with victims.

Tinubu announced the creation of a Peace Committee that includes traditional rulers such as the Tor Tiv and the Och’Idoma to drive community-based reconciliation and restore stability.

During a stakeholder meeting at the Government House in Makurdi, the president directed security agencies to act decisively.

“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,” Tinubu said.

Speaking directly to the Chief of Defence Staff and other senior officers, the president added, “Christopher, you have given much. I watch your comments — you can’t be tired of staying in the bush. Oloyede and the Air Marshal, we thank you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals. Let’s get them out.”

He further directed intelligence agencies to strengthen surveillance and data gathering.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, Akume, service chiefs, and lawmakers from the National Assembly were also in attendance. The state government declared a public holiday to mark the President’s visit.