Oluremi Tinubu condoles with Benue over killings, donates N1bn to victims

By Kunle Sanni –

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has paid a condolence visit to Benue State following recent deadly attacks in the Yelwata and Dauda communities, describing the killings as “heart-wrenching and unnecessary.”

During her visit to the state capital, Makurdi, the First Lady met with Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to express her solidarity with the victims and the people of the state.

“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 any grievances and return to peaceful coexistence. Dialogue and patience remain the best solutions — not violence.”

Highlighting the significance of peace to development, Mrs. Tinubu emphasized that Benue’s position as Nigeria’s “food basket” makes it critical to national prosperity, particularly in ensuring food security.

“Benue has so much to contribute to our nation’s growth. Peaceful co-existence is the panacea for development in any community or nation,” she added.

In response to appeals made during the meeting, the First Lady assured that all concerns would be relayed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the relevant authorities.

Governor Hyacinth Alia, while thanking Mrs. Tinubu for her visit, reiterated the urgent need for state and community policing as a sustainable response to the crisis.

“These killings underscore the necessity of local policing structures that can provide timely intelligence and swift intervention,” the governor said.