Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu has visited Benue State to condole with the Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia and the people of the State over the recent killings in Yelwata and Dauda communities.
During the visit, the First Lady decried the killings which she described as heart-wrenching and unnecessary.
“As a mother, I urge you all to bury any grievances and go back to cordial and peaceful coexistence.
“When there are disagreements, dialogue and patience remain the best solution, rather than violence.
“The way of peace is the way of love and love is the greatest power on earth. Despite its length, it conquers all things,” she said.
Mrs Tinubu pointed out that peaceful co-existence remains the panacea for the increase, growth and development of any community, people ora nation.
“Benue State is known as the nation’s ‘food basket’ because of its rich and diverse agricultural produce. Benue State has a lot to contribute to our nation’s growth and prosperity, especially in the area of food security,” the Firstady added.
In response to some of the prayers of earlier speakers, Mrs Tinubu assured that all that had been said would be passed on to the President and other concerned authorities.
The Governor of the State, Rev Father Hyacinth Alia, observed that the recent killings in the State restates the urgent need for State and Community Policing.
“This just underscores the urgent need for State and community Policing which will ensure swift and timely response, effective intelligence information gathering and safer communities,” said the Governor.
He commended the First Lady’s initiative, Renewed Hope Initiative which he says has been characterised by compassion, kindness and support.
“Benue State is overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness, kindness, compassion, empathy and support. We see this and it is a much-admired leadership we appreciate and cherish,” he added.
The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse called on Security agencies to do more to flush out the killer herders who have continued to unleash terror in the State as their activities remain a sickness which if not attended to can grossly affect the nation.
The Traditional Ruler explained that their activities have robbed the State of its status as the food basket of the nation as many farmers now live in fear of going to their farms.
He therefore, appealed to the federal government to quickly come to the aid of the State so that there would be an improvement in food production.
He said: “This is our prayer. That these killer/herder terrorists be flushed out without delay. The communities that have suffered should be assisted to get back to their normal lives. That people in the IDPs should be supported to return to their ancestral land and farm lands.”
Mrs Tinubu on behalf of the Renewed Hope Initiative, then presented a cheque of One Billion Naira to the Governor of Benue State, for the victims of the attacks and killings with the aim of them getting back on their feet and getting their livelihoods back.