President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, declared that the value of human life is far greater, more sacrosanct and must be held far above that of cows.
President Tinubu made the declaration when he paid a condolence visit to the state amid renewed waves of massacre by suspected armed herders.
“The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. We were elected to govern, not to bury people.
“Governor Alia, you were elected under the progressive banner to ensure peace, stability, and progress.
“You are not elected to bury people or comfort widows and orphans.
“We will work with you to achieve that peace. You must also work with us.
“Not everyone will like you in politics. They hate me, too—like hell. But here I am, still your President.
“I made a promise to protect democracy, freedom, and prosperity, even for my abusers and accusers. That’s leadership,” Tinubu stated.
He stressed the urgent need for ending the violence in the state, expressing worry that after the incident several days ago, not even a single suspect has been arrested.
The President whose plane touched ground at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi at about 12:58 pm on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, stayed that insecurity only serves the interests of political enemies seeking to destabilise the country.
He added that it is only when one opens the door for conflict that political enemies take advantage to come in and wreck havoc.
President Tinubu thereafter directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, to immediately arrest the killer herders who perpetrated the heinous killing of over 100 people in the Yelewata community.
He specifically called out IGP Egbetokun and demanded to know why arrests have not been made, stressing, “how come no one has been arrested for committing this heinous crime in Yelewata.
“Inspector General of Police, where are the arrests? The criminals must be arrested immediately”.
The President also directed the heads of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) to intensify surveillance and gather actionable intelligence to apprehend the perpetrators and directed the CDS on the need for vigilance and collaboration between communities and security forces.
While on a visit at the Benue State Teaching Hospital during his visit to injured victims of the Yelewata violence, the President called for blood donations to support those receiving treatment.
