President Bola Tinubu will visit Benue State on Wednesday, as part of renewed efforts to tackle the ongoing violence plaguing the state, the Presidency announced on Monday.
The visit, originally scheduled for Kaduna where Tinubu was to commission state government projects, has been postponed to Thursday.
According to a statement signed by special adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s visit to Benue is aimed at addressing the persistent conflict that has claimed numerous lives and displaced many communities.
“The President’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction,” the statement said.
While in Benue, the President is expected to meet with a broad coalition of stakeholders, including traditional rulers, political and religious leaders, youth groups and members of the community. He will also hold a town hall meeting to seek sustainable solutions to the crisis.
Ahead of the visit, Tinubu has dispatched top government and security officials to the state. These include the secretary to the government of the federation, the inspector general of police, the national security adviser, heads of intelligence agencies and the chairmen of the Senate and House defence committees.
President Tinubu had earlier condemned the killings in Benue and urged all residents and leaders to embrace peace and unity. 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.”
The rescheduled itinerary means Tinubu’s official trip to Kaduna will now take place a day later than planned.
