The Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Rt. Hon. Abdullahi Yusuf Atah, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s swift and resolute response to the brutal killings in Yelwata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
In a statement released through his media aide, Seyi Olorunsola, the minister described the president’s prompt visit to Makurdi as a “clear demonstration of proactive governance and genuine empathy.”
President Tinubu’s visit, which came just days after the violent attacks, included a town hall meeting at the Government House Banquet Hall where he publicly directed the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, to hunt down the perpetrators.
“How come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelwata? Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests?” President Tinubu asked pointedly during the meeting, underscoring his determination to end the culture of impunity.
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The President condemned what he called “senseless bloodletting,” pledging that his administration would not tolerate repeated violence. He assured grieving residents that his presence in Benue was not ceremonial but a mission to restore peace and hope.
Minister Atah praised the President’s mobilization of Nigeria’s full security apparatus—including the armed forces, police, and intelligence agencies—calling it “a powerful reflection of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s resolve to secure every part of the country.”
He highlighted the President’s compassionate engagement, which included visits to survivors at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital and face-to-face meetings with community leaders. According to the minister, this sends a strong message that “the federal government is serious about justice, restoration, and rebuilding lives.”
Recognizing Benue as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” the minister emphasized the importance of long-term peace in ensuring national food security.
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He welcomed the President’s proposal for a peace committee comprising traditional rulers, former governors, and community representatives, along with the introduction of ranching zones and blood donation campaigns as part of a broader strategy to heal and rebuild the region.
Atah expressed his solidarity with the people of Benue during what he described as “a time of deep grief and testing.” He called on residents to remain resolute in their faith in President Tinubu’s leadership and the commitment of the nation’s security forces.
“The federal government will respond to this crisis with full determination,” he stated. “We will deliver justice, compensate victims, rehabilitate displaced families, and secure our farmlands from future attacks.”
Minister Atah reaffirmed that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, no region will be left behind. “Together, we will protect lives, punish perpetrators, rebuild communities, and ensure every Nigerian enjoys the dignity and opportunity they deserve,” he concluded.
