Oluremi Tinubu Donates ₦1 Billion to Yelwata Attack Victims in Benue

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has extended a significant hand of compassion and national solidarity to victims of the recent Yelwata massacre in Benue State with a ₦1 billion donation. The funds, presented under the Renewed Hope Initiative, aim to aid recovery efforts following the devastating June 13–14 attack, which left over 100 people dead and many others injured in the rural Yelwata community of Guma Local Government Area.

The cheque was officially handed over during a solemn condolence visit on Tuesday, held at the New Banquet Hall of the Government House in Makurdi. In her remarks, Mrs. Tinubu expressed deep sympathy to the affected families and pledged the federal government’s commitment to supporting states in managing the growing humanitarian challenges caused by persistent security breaches.

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Addressing the grief-stricken audience, Senator Tinubu said, “This support is not just financial; it is a symbol of national empathy and a commitment to ensuring that tragedies like these do not go unnoticed or unaddressed.” She emphasized the Renewed Hope Initiative’s focus on rebuilding shattered communities and ensuring that displaced children return to school as soon as possible.

Mrs. Tinubu also stressed the importance of regional collaboration to end the recurrent cross-border violence. She announced plans to work closely with the First Lady of Nasarawa State in developing sustainable solutions to what she called an “increasingly dangerous cycle of attacks.”

Governor Hyacinth Alia received the donation on behalf of the Benue State government in a brief but impactful handover ceremony. The First Lady’s entourage was welcomed earlier in the day at the Tactical Air Command, Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi, by the governor and a delegation of top state officials.

Benue Leaders Demand Justice and State Policing

The event was marked not only by the donation but also by impassioned calls from Benue leaders for immediate security reforms. The paramount traditional ruler of the Tiv nation, Tor Tiv, Professor James Ayatse, delivered a powerful address in which he described the persistent violence in Benue as nothing short of a “genocidal war.”

He accused elements from neighboring Nasarawa State of harboring and enabling the armed attackers, urging the federal government to take decisive action to secure the borders and restore peace. “What is happening in Benue is beyond farmer-herder conflict. It is a calculated attempt to erase our people,” the monarch declared.

Governor Alia echoed similar sentiments, expressing deep concern over the scale of displacement and destruction. He emphasized that Benue is experiencing a growing humanitarian crisis and called on the federal government to move swiftly to adopt two key security reforms: the establishment of state police and the enforcement of ranching as a national livestock management policy.

“State policing is no longer a debate—it is a necessity,” Alia said. “Our communities need immediate response capabilities that are rooted in local understanding. Without that, we remain vulnerable.”

Renewed Hope for Recovery

Beyond the ₦1 billion financial gesture, the First Lady’s visit brought a renewed sense of national attention to the plight of Benue residents. As she met with stakeholders, including victims, traditional leaders, and aid workers, Mrs. Tinubu reinforced her resolve to be a voice for marginalized and terrorized communities across Nigeria.

Observers say the visit marked a turning point in the federal response to the Benue crisis. It is hoped that the funds will fast-track reconstruction efforts, provide medical aid, rehabilitate survivors, and restore education for displaced children.

Political analysts note that the First Lady’s proactive intervention may also pressure relevant agencies to rethink the current security architecture in the North Central region. The call for state police and a national ranching framework are likely to gain further traction as voices from Benue grow louder in the national discourse.

While the road to peace remains fraught with challenges, the First Lady’s visit delivered a message of hope, unity, and commitment to justice—values desperately needed in a region battered by years of unrelenting conflict.