By Adenike Lawal
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, arrived in Benue State on Monday as part of renewed efforts to stem the tide of deadly attacks that have gripped the state in recent weeks.
His visit follows a sharp escalation in violence, largely attributed to suspected herdsmen, whose coordinated assaults on farming communities have left over 160 civilians dead and displaced hundreds more.
The attacks have sparked outrage across the state, with youth groups and civil society organisations staging protests and demanding immediate government intervention.
Benue, a key agricultural hub in Nigeria’s North Central region, has long suffered recurring clashes between nomadic herders and indigenous farmers.
However, the recent wave of killings has been described by residents and rights groups as unprecedented and brazen.
In response, President Bola Tinubu on Sunday issued a directive to security chiefs to enforce existing mandates aimed at restoring order.
Condemning the attacks as “deeply troubling and unacceptable,” the President vowed decisive action.
“This bloodshed cannot be allowed to continue,” Tinubu said. “I have instructed our security forces to take firm action, track down the perpetrators on all sides, and ensure they face the full weight of the law.”
Acting on the President’s directive, the IGP’s visit comes with the deployment of additional tactical units and reinforcement of security personnel across volatile areas of the state.
The police say the move is aimed at quelling further violence and restoring public confidence.
Egbetokun is expected to meet with state authorities, traditional rulers, and community leaders as part of a coordinated strategy to address the root causes of the unrest and chart a sustainable path to peace.
As investigations continue and security presence increases, residents are hopeful that the federal government’s intervention will bring lasting relief to one of Nigeria’s most troubled regions.
