In response to a deadly attack that claimed around 200 lives in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has established a high-level peace committee aimed at restoring order and preventing future violence in the region. The recent spate of violence also displaced thousands of residents, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). This development comes amid growing pressure on the federal government to act decisively against the worsening insecurity in Benue.
The team assembled by President Tinubu includes prominent figures from Benue’s political and military past. Retired Brigadier General John Atom Kpera, a seasoned military officer and former military governor of both Anambra and Benue States, brings decades of leadership and security experience to the table. His deep-rooted connection to the state, being a native of Gboko, positions him as a vital link between the federal government and the affected communities.
Also included is George Akume, a former two-term governor of Benue State and the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). With a longstanding career in politics and governance, Akume is expected to lend his institutional knowledge and political reach to the peace process. His continued influence in Benue and federal politics signals Tinubu’s intent to ensure both top-down and grassroots cooperation in resolving the crisis.
Gabriel Suswam, who governed Benue from 2007 to 2015, and Samuel Ortom, who served from 2015 to 2023, are also members of the committee. Both men have firsthand experience with the challenges of managing Benue’s security crises and understand the complex interplay of communal tensions and political interests. Their inclusion could foster collaboration across political divides to secure lasting peace.
Rounding out the team is His Royal Majesty, James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv V, who serves as the paramount traditional ruler of the Tiv nation. As a respected academic and cultural leader, his role is expected to bridge traditional authority and government policy. His involvement underscores the importance of local ownership in conflict resolution efforts. With these figures onboard, the Tinubu administration is signaling a robust approach to tackling violence in Benue.
Source: BBC