His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and paramount ruler of the Tiv Nation, has acknowledged a noticeable improvement in the security situation in Benue State since President Bola Tinubu’s visit on June 18, 2025.
The traditional ruler made the remarks on Tuesday in Makurdi, during a condolence visit by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, following the mass killings of over 200 people in coordinated attacks on June 13 and 14.
Security Response After Presidential Visit
Prof. Ayatse stated that although the violence had not completely ceased, the intensity of attacks had reduced significantly after the President’s visit and subsequent directives.
“While the attacks by militias and bandits have not completely stopped, we can report that there has been some noticeable improvement in security,” he said.
He credited this to the deployment of additional security forces to affected communities in Benue, following President Tinubu’s directive to the Chief of Defence Staff.
Appreciation for First Lady’s Intervention
Welcoming Senator Tinubu to his palace, the Tor Tiv lauded her compassionate leadership, particularly her involvement in healthcare, agriculture, social investment, education, and support for vulnerable populations such as orphans, displaced persons, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities.
“Your presence here today reflects not only your strategic support as a former Senator of the Federal Republic but also your motherly and compassionate response to moments of distress in our nation,” Ayatse remarked.
He also commended her economic empowerment programmes and interventions in Benue schools, expressing optimism that her visit would further strengthen her commitment to the state.
Persistent Challenges and a Cry for Help
Despite improvements, the monarch painted a grim picture of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state:
“The persistent attacks by militias on our farms have been sustained for years, leading to loss of lives and property. Farmers have been driven away from their lands, leaving us in pain and despair.”
He lamented the widespread hunger and displacement in a state once known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” adding that support from the government had so far been inadequate and failed to address the emotional and economic devastation suffered by affected communities.
“What has been offered to our grieving people feels like salt added to their wounds—token gestures that do not meet the needs of mothers who have lost children or families that have been destroyed,” he said.
Call for National Urgency and Lasting Solutions
Describing the killings as a national tragedy, Ayatse urged the Federal Government to treat the crisis with greater urgency.
He cited the Governor of Nasarawa State’s recent alarm over the influx of terrorists as further evidence that the problem extends beyond Benue and poses a threat to national stability.
“Our prayer is that these relentless attacks will finally stop. That our people will return safely to their farms. We hope that meaningful relief and restoration will come to our communities.”
The Tor Tiv concluded by reiterating the community’s hope for peace, justice, and national intervention that prioritises the dignity and safety of Benue’s citizens.
