Benue Killings: How Come No Arrest Has Been Made? – Tinubu Queries IGP Egbetokun

President Bola Tinubu has openly expressed frustration over the lack of arrests following the recent deadly attacks in Benue State, directly questioning the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on the matter.

During a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, Tinubu queried the absence of tangible action by security forces after suspected herdsmen attacked the Yelwata community, killing scores and displacing thousands.

“Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made? I expect there should be an arrest of those criminals,” the president said, demanding swift accountability from the police leadership.

Tinubu, who visited the state to assess the situation firsthand, also addressed Nigeria’s top military and intelligence officials present at the meeting. 

He urged them to intensify efforts to capture the perpetrators and prevent future attacks.

“Christopher (the Chief of Defence Staff), you have given much. I watch your comments, you can’t be tired of staying in the bush. 

"Oloyede and the Air Marshal, we thank all of you, but we need to keep our ears to the ground. Let’s get those criminals, let’s get them out,” Tinubu stated.

He continued: “DG NIA, DG SSS, retool your information channels and let’s have tangible intelligence so that this will not occur again.”

The violence in Yelwata sparked outrage nationwide and condemnation from major political figures. Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar both slammed the federal government’s response and called for immediate intervention.

The attack, which Pope Leo XIV described as “a terrible massacre,” also led to street protests in parts of Benue, with residents demanding justice and greater security.

As part of long-term peace efforts, Tinubu proposed the creation of a leadership committee made up of former governors, traditional rulers, and prominent stakeholders in the state.

“Whatever we need to do, I will want us to create this leadership committee now, and then we will meet in Abuja to really fashion out the nucleus of a lasting peace, and I am ready to invest in that peace,” he assured.

In a humanitarian gesture, the president visited a local hospital where he sympathized with victims of the attack and urged Nigerians to donate blood to support the injured.