Benue Killings: “The Value Of Human Life Is Greater Than That Of A Cow” – President Tinubu Declares During Condolence Visit
In a visit marked by somber reflection and urgent calls for unity, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, paid a condolence visit to Benue State, where he condemned the recent wave of brutal killings in the region. His words were stark and emotionally charged: “The value of human life is greater than that of a cow.”
The visit follows the Yelewata massacre in Guma Local Government Area, where dozens of residents were reportedly slaughtered in one of the deadliest attacks in the region this year. The killings—believed to be carried out by armed bandits and terrorists operating along the Benue-Nasarawa corridor—have triggered nationwide outrage and international concern.
“We’re Tired of Burying Our People” – A President’s Appeal for Peace
During his address, Tinubu stressed that Nigeria must move beyond a cycle of bloodshed and reprisal. “We are here to govern, not to bury,” he said, as he stood before community leaders, grieving families, and traditional rulers.
The president’s remarks struck a chord in a state long plagued by clashes between farmers and herders—conflicts often fueled by competition for land, political neglect, and deep ethnic divisions.
He appealed to residents to lay down animosity and work with government officials to restore calm, saying:
“We want to hand over a peaceful and united nation to generations yet unborn.”
A Step Toward Solutions: Leadership, Land, and Dialogue
President Tinubu announced several immediate interventions during his visit:
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Formation of a Peace Committee of Elders: The committee will include all former governors of Benue State and the current Governor of Nasarawa State, with the goal of charting a sustainable path toward reconciliation and security.
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Directive to Governor Hyacinth Alia: Tinubu instructed the state governor to work with all stakeholders and act as “a father to everyone,” urging political and communal neutrality in resolving the crisis.
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Land Allocation for Ranching: In a bid to tackle the root of the farmer-herder conflict, the president called for land to be provided for proper ranching systems. This, he said, is a long-term strategy to end the disputes over open grazing, which often escalate into deadly confrontations.
Unity and Responsibility
The president’s speech wasn’t just directed at officials. He called on every citizen—from traditional rulers to youth leaders—to rise to the occasion.
“Let us join hands and prevent further barbaric actions,” Tinubu pleaded. “The government cannot do it alone.”
He urged the people of Benue to resist manipulation by criminal elements and instead support law enforcement efforts aimed at securing the state.
A Moment of Truth?
While President Tinubu’s visit is a symbolic and necessary gesture, many in Benue—and across Nigeria—will be watching to see if his promises are backed by concrete actions. For years, survivors of violence in central Nigeria have lamented the lack of justice, compensation, and security after such tragedies.
Critics argue that without arrests, prosecutions, and serious reforms in Nigeria’s policing and land-use systems, peace efforts may be short-lived.
Conclusion: Words Must Lead to Action
President Tinubu’s declaration that human life is greater than that of livestock is a powerful moral stand in a time of immense grief. But it also lays bare the reality that for far too long, lives in Benue and other crisis-hit areas have been treated as disposable.
The time for platitudes has passed. If this visit is to mark a turning point, it must be followed by swift, transparent, and people-centered policies. The people of Benue deserve more than condolences—they deserve justice, safety, and lasting peace.
