President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a scathing rebuke to Nigeria’s top security officials over their failure to arrest those behind the ongoing deadly attacks in Benue State, declaring that the current state of inaction is unacceptable. During his visit to the violence-ravaged North-Central state on Tuesday, June 18, the President openly questioned the effectiveness of the Service Chiefs and Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, as fresh waves of bloodshed continue to torment communities in the region.
In a high-stakes meeting at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi, Tinubu demanded swift and decisive action from security agencies, stressing that the lack of arrests despite repeated attacks reflects a troubling lapse in intelligence and enforcement. “How can we continue to record such bloodshed without a single arrest? This is intolerable. I want to see immediate results. I expect the police and the armed forces to act decisively to apprehend these killers who have turned Benue into a killing field,” the President charged, visibly dismayed by the worsening situation.
With tension running high across Benue communities following relentless attacks by suspected militia groups, Tinubu’s remarks signal a renewed federal push to crush the violence and restore public confidence in government response. He acknowledged the sacrifices of military personnel but made it clear that commendation alone is no longer enough.
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He praised the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for his ongoing efforts, while also urging key security leaders, including Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar and Defence Intelligence Chief, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Oloyede to intensify surveillance and intelligence gathering. “This is not the time for routine operations. We must be proactive, aggressive, and coordinated. Nigeria is watching, and history will judge our actions or silence,” Tinubu stated firmly.
The President further directed the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to overhaul their intelligence frameworks, stating that improved data collection, real-time analysis, and inter-agency synergy were essential in defeating organized violence.
“The time for reactive security is over. We need preemptive intelligence and a united front to dismantle the criminal networks behind these killings. The peace and safety of Nigerians must come first, always,” he said, calling for a holistic approach to internal security that integrates both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies. The President stated.
