Tinubu cancels Kaduna Trip, heads to Benue after renewed violence

In response to the escalating security crisis in Benue State, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced an urgent visit to the state following the recent killing of more than 100 residents in a wave of violent attacks.

The visit, scheduled for Monday, marks a shift in the President’s itinerary, as he was originally slated to be in Kaduna State the same day.

That engagement has now been postponed to Thursday, June 19, 2025, to allow the President to personally assess the situation in Benue and engage directly with affected communities.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, the President’s visit aims to obtain firsthand insights into the recurring violence that has left hundreds dead, displaced thousands, and destroyed homes and farmlands across various local government areas in the state.

“The President’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction,” the statement said.

In advance of his arrival, President Tinubu has already deployed a high-powered delegation to Benue State, which includes the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), heads of major intelligence agencies, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Defence.

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The presidential delegation is expected to engage with state authorities, security agencies, traditional rulers, and affected community members in a bid to map out immediate and long-term solutions to the violence.

The latest attacks—believed to be linked to persistent clashes between armed herders and farming communities—have renewed calls for the federal government to take decisive action on insecurity in the Middle Belt region.

Analysts say President Tinubu’s visit could mark a turning point in how the federal government confronts the complex mix of communal, ethnic, and criminal violence that has plagued the region for years.

The Presidency reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property and promised that the government would adopt a multi-dimensional approach to address the root causes of the conflict, including land disputes, resource competition, and criminal infiltration.

Security agencies have also been tasked with intensifying surveillance and operations in hotspot areas while ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches displaced victims in camps and affected communities.

President Tinubu is expected to meet with Governor Hyacinth Alia, community leaders, and victims’ families during his visit.

The outcome of these engagements, according to the Presidency, will shape a new set of strategic directives for restoring peace in Benue and neighboring states affected by similar unrest.