By Chibueze Udume
Makurdi, Benue State – The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, on Tuesday, 17th June 2025, paid a solemn condolence visit to families of victims and survivors of the brutal attack on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State. His visit, deeply symbolic, comes ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s scheduled condolence visit to the state.
Speaking during his visit, Sen. Akume expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and assured the people of Benue that the Federal Government is committed to finding lasting solutions to the security challenges confronting the state. Akume emphasized that the visit was not only to mourn with the people but also to prepare grounds for President Tinubu’s historic visit.
In a related development, President Tinubu, while commissioning the Greater Abuja Water Project, extended his heartfelt condolences to the people of Benue. The President expressed his grief over the incident and assured that he had already spoken to the Benue State Governor regarding the situation.
“I have spoken to the governor… I sympathise with those who have lost their lives. I will adjust my program and go see Benue people on Wednesday,” Tinubu said.
True to his word, President Tinubu arrived in Benue on Wednesday, where he visited surviving victims of the heinous attack and interacted with community members and leaders. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to enhancing security across the country and pledged Federal Government support for affected communities.
Photos of the visit showed the President engaging with grieving families and inspecting areas affected by the attack, further underscoring the gravity of the Federal Government’s concern.
The people of Yelewata and the wider Benue community expressed hope that these high-profile visits will translate into tangible actions to restore peace, security, and normalcy in the state.
