The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has arrived in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, ahead of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s visit.
The SGF was accompanied by top government officials, National assembly members from Benue state and other government appointees from the state.
He was warmly welcomed by party members and stakeholders in the state.
Before the President’s arrival, the SGF also visited the Makurdi international Market housing the displaced persons from the attack and flagged off the distribution of relief materials brought by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for victims of the recent herdsmen attacks in Yelwata and other affected communities in the state.
The SGF also visited Yelewata for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the attack and spoke with members of the affected community. This visit aims to provide support and comfort to the victims of the attack and to assess the situation on the ground.
He expressed grief over the attack on the state which he described as barbaric and unwarranted.
Senator Akume also called on them to remain calm and steadfast as President Tinubu is making concerted efforts to put a permanent end to the killings in Guma and all other parts of the state.
Senator Akume assured the people that the President shares in their sorrow and pain, and would stop at nothing to ensure that they were protected from further attacks.
The SGF urged them not to take laws into their own hands, as the security agencies are taking steps to enhance surveillance and prevent recurrence of such senseless killings.
The SGF also donated N10 million for a short termed relief for the victims while others who accompanied him supported with N16 million totalling N26 million.
The President’s visit to Benue state is expected to focus on addressing the security challenges facing the state, particularly the recent attacks on communities by suspected herdsmen.
The visit is also likely to include discussions with state officials and security agencies on ways to improve security and provide support to affected communities.
