Oluremi Tinubu Condoles with Benue over Killings, Donates N1bn to Victims

Oluremi Tinubu Condoles with Benue over Killings, Donates N1bn to Victims

Makurdi, Nigeria – July 29, 2025

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has paid a condolence visit to Benue State following recent attacks that claimed several lives in communities such as Yelwata and Dauda. Describing the killings as “heart-wrenching and unnecessary,” she urged residents to embrace peace and unity.

Speaking during her visit to Governor Hyacinth Alia at the Government House in Makurdi, the First Lady emphasized the need for dialogue and tolerance in resolving disputes.

“Our diversity is supposed to help us grow as a people and not destroy us,” she said. “As a mother, I urge you all to bury grievances and return to peaceful and cordial coexistence. The way of peace is the way of love—and love, though it suffers long, conquers all.”

Senator Tinubu stressed that peaceful cohabitation remains critical to development and growth, particularly in a state like Benue, which is renowned as Nigeria’s “food basket.”

“Benue has so much to offer, especially in terms of food security. We must ensure that the people feel safe enough to return to their farms,” she said.

In response to pleas made by various stakeholders, she assured that their concerns would be relayed to President Bola Tinubu and other relevant authorities.

Governor Alia, while welcoming the First Lady, reiterated the urgent need for state and community policing to tackle insecurity in the region effectively.

“These attacks make the case for state and community policing stronger. We need timely responses and better intelligence gathering to secure our communities,” the governor stated.

He also lauded Senator Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative, describing it as a beacon of compassion and practical support for vulnerable Nigerians.

The Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, joined the call for stronger security intervention, decrying the ongoing attacks by suspected killer herders. He said the insecurity had severely hampered farming activities, robbing Benue of its agricultural productivity.

“This is our prayer—that these killer herders be flushed out urgently, that displaced communities be restored, and that Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are supported to return to their ancestral homes and farmlands,” he pleaded.

To support recovery efforts, Senator Tinubu, on behalf of the Renewed Hope Initiative, presented a cheque of N1 billion to Governor Alia for the benefit of victims and communities affected by the violence.

The fund, she said, is meant to help survivors rebuild their lives and restore their livelihoods.