President Bola Tinubu has rescheduled his Kaduna visit to travel to Benue State on Wednesday, aiming to address persistent conflicts and foster peace after recent violence

Benue Crisis is now the immediate focus of President Bola Tinubu, who has rescheduled his official visit to Kaduna State.

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He will instead travel to Benue State on Wednesday, as part of renewed efforts to foster peace and address the persistent conflict affecting communities there. This change in itinerary follows recent devastating violence in the state.

Last Friday, ferocious marauders wreaked havoc across Benue, killing scores and displacing hundreds of people.

On Monday, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun arrived in the state accompanied by other senior Police officers. He promptly ordered the immediate deployment of additional tactical teams to the area.

In a statement released on Monday, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, confirmed the President’s visit.

He stated that the visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction.

During his stay, President Tinubu will meet with all stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political, religious, and community leaders, as well as youth groups. The goal is to seek lasting solutions to the hostilities.

In preparation for the visit, President Tinubu has already dispatched a high-level delegation to the troubled state.

This delegation includes 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.

The President is also expected to hold a town hall meeting with all stakeholders during his visit.

President Tinubu has previously condemned the ongoing violence in Benue State and has consistently 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 initially scheduled to visit Kaduna State on Wednesday to commission various state government projects.

However, that official visit will now occur on Thursday instead. Suspected herdsmen have killed scores in Benue State in a series of attacks in recent weeks, an issue that has attracted widespread outrage and protests.

While in Benue, Inspector General Egbetokun will 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 indigenous agrarian dwellers and nomadic cattle rearers.

However, the killings in the last few weeks have been relentless. 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.