Egbetokun Storms Benue over Persistent Killings
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, arrived in Benue State on Monday, in response to the latest wave of deadly attacks that have claimed hundreds of lives and displaced many across the state.
The IGP’s visit comes on the heels of renewed violence in the state, where armed marauders unleashed terror on multiple communities last Friday, leaving at least 160 residents dead.
The attacks have been described as one of the deadliest episodes of violence in recent years, and have sparked widespread condemnation and calls for urgent action from the government.
Benue State, a key agricultural hub in the North-Central part of Nigeria, has long been plagued by deadly conflicts believed to stem from land disputes between indigenous farming communities and nomadic herders.
However, in recent weeks, the violence has escalated to unprecedented levels, with daily reports of attacks and mass casualties.
The IGP’s arrival in the state is part of a broader security operation, which includes the deployment of additional tactical teams to support local forces in curbing the attacks and restoring normalcy to affected areas.
The move is seen as a response to President Bola Tinubu’s directive for security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of the violence.
President Tinubu, reacting to the tragic events, had condemned the killings in strong terms and ordered immediate action from security agencies.
“The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough,” the President said in a statement on Sunday.
“I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them,” the President added. The directive reinforces earlier orders for security chiefs to devise lasting solutions to the state’s persistent insecurity.
With the IGP now on the ground, expectations are high among residents for rapid intervention and concrete results. The people of Benue State are hoping that the IGP’s visit will mark a turning point in the government’s response to the crisis, and that the security agencies will be able to bring an end to the violence and restore peace to the state.
The IGP’s visit is also seen as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to addressing the security challenges in the state. The police chief is expected to meet with locals, including community leaders and traditional rulers, to discuss ways to address the root causes of the conflict and find a lasting solution to the violence.
