President Bola Tinubu has made a significant visit to Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, in response to the escalating violence and insecurity plaguing various communities in the region. Arriving at the Tactical Air Command of the Nigerian Air Force Base around 12:58 pm on Wednesday, the President’s presence highlights the seriousness with which his administration is treating the ongoing crisis.

This visit follows a fresh wave of brutal attacks that have led to loss of lives and left many residents displaced and in mourning. In light of this, the presidency released a statement through Presidential Spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, emphasizing that Tinubu’s journey to Benue was not merely symbolic but aimed at pursuing meaningful and lasting solutions to the persistent unrest. The President’s concern reflects a deep commitment to restoring peace and stability to the affected areas.

During his stay, President Tinubu is scheduled to hold extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders across the state. These include traditional rulers, religious figures, political leaders, community elders, and youth groups. The engagement will take the form of a town hall meeting, fostering open dialogue, trust-building, and collaboration in pursuit of peace and reconciliation.

Ahead of Tinubu’s arrival, a high-powered federal delegation had already been deployed to the state. This team, made up of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police, key intelligence agency heads, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairmen of the Defence Committees in the National Assembly, has been actively engaging local authorities to understand the security landscape firsthand.

Notably, Tinubu postponed a scheduled visit to Kaduna State—originally planned for the following day—in order to prioritize his intervention in Benue. The Kaduna trip will now take place on Thursday. In previous statements, the President had condemned the surge in violence, urging all sides to abandon hostilities and work toward peaceful coexistence. He extended heartfelt condolences to the affected families and reaffirmed his administration’s determination to bring peace and security to conflict-stricken areas across Nigeria.