Tinubu Postpones Kaduna Visit to Address Benue Crisis

President Bola Tinubu has postponed his scheduled official visit to Kaduna State to Wednesday, June 18, 2025, to instead visit Benue State amid escalating violence and humanitarian crisis there. This shift underscores the federal government’s urgent focus on addressing the ongoing conflict that has resulted in significant loss of lives and displacement in Benue.

The President’s visit aims to directly assess the crisis, which recently saw over 100 people killed in attacks by armed gunmen in communities such as Yelewata and Daudu in Guma Local Government Area. These attacks have caused widespread destruction, displacement of more than 6,500 people, and a looming health crisis due to injuries and trauma.

During the visit, President Tinubu will engage with traditional rulers, political, religious, and community leaders, as well as youth groups, to seek lasting peace and reconciliation.

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In preparation, key security and intelligence officials including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Inspector General of Police, National Security Adviser, and heads of intelligence agencies have been deployed to Benue to coordinate security operations and restore order.

The President has tasked Governor Hyacinth Alia to lead reconciliation efforts among the conflicting parties, urging all leaders to avoid inflammatory rhetoric that could worsen tensions.President Tinubu condemned the violence as “inhuman and anti-progress,” offering condolences to victims’ families and emphasizing the need for unity and peace.

The official visit to Kaduna State, originally planned for June 18, will now take place on Thursday, June 19, 2025, to allow full attention to the Benue crisis.This visit comes amid calls from human rights groups and local authorities for decisive federal action to end the near-daily attacks, which have been described as terrorism beyond mere communal clashes, involving organized and planned assaults.

The situation remains volatile, with ongoing rescue operations and demands for urgent humanitarian support. President Tinubu’s engagement signals a critical federal response to a crisis that has deeply affected Nigeria’s North-Central region.