President Tinubu Urges Dialogue with Herders Amid Benue Bloodshed

…Leaves Benue People Baffled

Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for dialogue and reconciliation in Benue State, where attacks by herders over the weekend have claimed over 100 lives. In a statement, Tinubu directed security agencies to act decisively against perpetrators and prosecute them, but also urged Governor Alia to lead a process of dialogue and reconciliation with the very herders responsible for the bloodshed.

The President’s words have left many in Benue puzzled, wondering how dialogue can be possible with groups that seem to have no interest in peace. “How can we dialogue with people who only come to kill us?” one Benue resident asked. Observers are also questioning the effectiveness of such an approach, given the severity of the violence and the apparent lack of remorse from the attackers.

Tinubu’s statement emphasized the need for leaders to work together in harmony, identifying and addressing differences with fairness, openness, and justice. However, many in Benue feel that the President’s words ring hollow in the face of such brutal violence, and that more concrete action is needed to protect the state’s people. The call for dialogue has sparked concerns that the government may be prioritizing reconciliation over justice and accountability for the victims.