President Bola Tinubu has rescheduled his official visit to Kaduna State, and will rather travel to Benue State on Wednesday, as part of renewed efforts to foster peace and address the persistent conflict affecting communities in the state.
Last Friday, ferocious marauders wreaked havoc in the state, killing scores and displacing hundreds of people.
On Monday, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun arrived the state in company of other senior Police officers and ordered for the immediate deployment of additional tactical teams.
In a statement on Monday, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga said that the President’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction.
According to the statement from the Presidency, during his stay, President Tinubu will meet with all stakeholders — including traditional rulers, political, religious, community leaders, and youth groups — to seek lasting solutions to the hostilities.
In preparation for the visit, President Tinubu has already dispatched the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees to the troubled state .
The President is expected to hold a town hall meeting with all stakeholders.
President Tinubu has previously condemned the ongoing violence and called on all leaders and residents to embrace peace, love, and mutual understanding.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to all those who have suffered losses as a result of the crisis.
According to his itinerary released over the weekend, President Tinubu was scheduled to visit Kaduna State on Wednesday to commission various state government projects. However, the official visit will now occur on Thursday.
Suspected herdsmen have killed scores in the state in a series of attacks in the recent weeks, one that has attracted outrage and protests.
While in the state, Egbetokun would meet with Governor Hyacinth Alia and other state actors before departing for Abuja.
Benue State has been under heavy attacks by suspected herdsmen for some time. The killings have lingered for years, with some linking it to inter-communal conflicts as well as the quest for land dominance between the autochthonous agrarian dwellers and nomadic cattle rearers.
However, the killings in the last few weeks have been without a break. At least over 160 residents were confirmed killed in a series of attacks by suspected herdsmen who wreaked havoc in different communities in the food-producing state.
On Sunday, President Tinubu directed security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to the state.
