Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has strongly condemned the ongoing violence and killings in Benue State, describing the attacks as senseless and rooted in economic motives. In a statement released Monday in Abuja, Akume dismissed claims that the violence is religious, pointing instead to financial interests as the driving force behind the bloodshed affecting Benue, Plateau, and Zamfara states.
He described the repeated attacks as a national tragedy and a deep wound on the collective conscience of the country. According to him, the loss of innocent lives—men, women, and children—is heartbreaking and must not be ignored. Akume called on the people of Benue, traditional rulers, political leaders, and other stakeholders to urgently chart a path toward lasting peace and protect the state’s future.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for ordering a full-scale security operation in Benue and noted that more troops have been deployed to help stabilize the situation. He also mentioned ongoing relief efforts by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to support affected communities.
As an indigene of the state, Akume promised to continue coordinating with relevant parties to find and implement a lasting solution. He urged all Nigerians—regardless of faith or background—to respect the value of human life and live peacefully with one another.
He ended by offering his condolences to the families of the victims and pledged that justice would be pursued with urgency and clarity.
