President Bola Tinubu will today, Wednesday, June 18, visit Benue State instead of Kaduna, as originally planned—underscoring the Federal Government’s urgency in addressing the worsening security crisis in Nigeria’s food belt.
Presidency sources confirm that the visit is part of renewed efforts to foster peace and initiate a long-term security strategy in communities ravaged by repeated attacks and displacement.
The President is expected to meet with key stakeholders across Benue, including traditional rulers, political leaders, religious figures, youth groups, and security operatives in a high-level town hall meeting aimed at seeking a durable, community-led resolution to the ongoing violence.
Ahead of the visit, President Tinubu dispatched top-ranking government officials to lay groundwork for his intervention, including:
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Secretary to the Government of the Federation
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Inspector General of Police
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National Security Adviser
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Heads of intelligence agencies
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Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Defence
The move comes after weeks of public outcry and criticism over the federal government’s response to escalating attacks that have claimed over 160 lives in recent weeks.
President Tinubu has previously condemned the killings, calling for unity, mutual understanding, and an end to reprisals. Today’s visit marks his first on-ground response since the latest wave of violence.
Meanwhile, his rescheduled visit to Kaduna—originally set for today to commission key infrastructure projects—will now take place tomorrow, Thursday, June 19.
As of this morning, security has been tightened across Makurdi and other key locations in Benue State in anticipation of the President’s arrival.
