President Muhammadu Buhari has appealed to leaders of various groups in Benue State to convince their constituents that the Federal Government is doing its best to end the recurring attacks by armed herdsmen in various parts of the country.
Responding to remarks by various stakeholders during a Town Hall meeting in Government House, Makurdi, on Monday, the President also urged them to show restraint and allow the security agencies to handle the untenable situation.
Buhari said he was not in the habit of publicly rebuking his appointees as many would desire, but that he preferred to quietly “read the riot act” as he did to the Inspector General of Police when the Benue attacks began.
He disclosed this a townhall meeting with stakeholders in the state over the recent attacks on some communities in the state.
On other issues, President Buhari,said his administration would continue to empower farmers with loans by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
He also expressed delight that the agricultural policy of his administration has led to 90 per cent reduction in rice importation.
Buhari arrived the airport at Makurdi, the state capital at exactly 10:43 a.m. local time.
This is his first visit to the state since the New Year killings which claimed more than 70 lives.
Security was stepped up in the state with armed security personnel seen in strategic areas in Makurdi. Patrol officers with sniffer dogs were also sighted along busy streets and highways in the state capital while a military helicopter was sighted conducting aerial surveillance.
A cross section of Makurdi residents commended security agencies for the tight security measures put in place.
The resident hoped that the visit would tackle the mounting security and development challenges of the state.
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