The Presidency has announced, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will travel to Benue State as he reschedules his official visit to Kaduna State.
Thr President made the decision following the “wanton killings” in the North Central State which happened on Saturday.
More than 100 people were killed in the most recent attacks in Benue with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reporting, it cannot give exact number of casualties as a result of the secrutiy situation in the State.
The President, after learning of the sad news of the killings in Benue State, said, “enough is now enough”, and directed Security Chiefs to ensure that peace and security are restored in the State.
Tinubu’s plan to visit Benue State is coming after 2023 Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, said, the President ought to take a trip to the North Central State and see things for himself firsthand.
Obi said, “in Nigeria, we have normalised leadership without empathy, without accountability, and without a human face”, adding, “Nigeria does not just need another president; Nigeria needs a leader, a leader with competence, capacity, character, and compassion”.
President Tinubu’s trip to Benue State was made known via a State House Press Release titled ‘President Tinubu to visit Benue over crisis, shifts scheduled official visit to Kaduna’, signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, on Monday 16 June, 2025.
President Tinubu will travel to Benue State on Wednesday 18 June, 2025 after rescheduling his official visit to Kaduna State to Thursday 19 June, 2025.
According to the State House Press Release: “President Bola Tinubu has rescheduled his official visit to Kaduna State. Instead, he will travel to Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, as part of renewed efforts to foster peace and address the persistent conflict affecting communities in the state.
“The President’s 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, community leaders, and youth groups—to seek lasting solutions to the hostilities.
“In preparation for the visit, President Tinubu has already dispatched 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 to Benue State.
“The President is expected to hold a town hall meeting with all stakeholders during the visit.
“President Tinubu has previously condemned the ongoing violence in Benue State and 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 scheduled to visit Kaduna State on Wednesday to commission various state government projects. However, the official visit will now occur on Thursday, June 19, 2025.”
