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| Residents question Tinubu’s trip’s impact amid violence and floods in Benue |
Some residents of Makurdi say Tinubu’s visit feels more symbolic than useful. They say it fails to tackle their top worries. Many feel forgotten amid waves of violence. Their questions reflect anxiety over safety and support.
On June 17, gunmen attacked Yelwata in Guma LGA. Around 100 people died in charred market rooms . The state reels under clashes between cattle herders and farmers. Tinubu plans his first Benue trip since taking office two years ago .
He arrived on Wednesday, June 18. His team said the goal is to boost security and relief. But locals warn talk must match action. They’ve seen promises before.
A group of youths blocked the Makurdi-Abuja highway on June 15. They protested endless killings and displacement . Roadblocks cut travel and business. It hurt farmers who need to move goods.
“Why come now? What has changed?” asked Chinedu, a maize trader. He lost his stock in a recent raid. He said he doubts any quick fix.
A pregnant trader, Talatu, barely survived the market attack. She said she returned to mend her rice store. She sees no new aid arriving .
Locals want schools and clinics rebuilt. They want more patrols and better intelligence. They ask for quick food aid and cash help.
The presidency says Tinubu will meet displaced families. He will tour clinics and command posts. He plans to promise more army deployments. Officials hope this soothes anger.
Experts warn such visits must follow up. Dr. Janet Atere, a security analyst, says lasting peace needs local engagement. She urges community watchers and social projects.
“The president’s tour can raise morale,” she said. “But support must last months, not days.”
Benue’s governor, Hyacinth Alia, joined the visit. He thanked Tinubu for approving extra road projects. He said better roads help soldiers and traders.
But some residents saw mixed signals. A rally of pro-Tinubu youths in Makurdi drew sharp criticism . It came days after fresh attacks. Critics said it mocked mourning families.
Social media lit up with angry posts. Some hashtags read #BenueDeservesMore and #TinubuShowAction. Others pleaded for silence and aid.
Local rights groups filed petitions. They demand a state of emergency and fresh investigations . They claim security forces sometimes ignore attacks. They cite an incident on May 24, when soldiers at a checkpoint failed to stop gunmen.
In markets, talk shifts from politics to survival. Women share stories of late-night raids. Men survey fields burned by herders. Children whisper fears of more violence.
“We need more than speeches,” said Aisha, a widow of one attack. “We need new patrol posts. We need food.”
Tinubu’s team released figures. They said 3,000 people were displaced. They said 500 extra troops would arrive within a week. They said emergency rations would feed 2,000 families .
But relief workers warn of gaps. They say the numbers may undercount remote villages. They ask for clear aid tracking and local partners.
World aid groups stand ready to help. They await government approval to move in. They say speed is vital to avoid hunger and disease.
Some local chiefs welcomed Tinubu. They hope his visit brings lasting ties to Abuja. They speak of past projects that later stalled.
“We pray this time it stays,” said Chief Ogiri. “Our fields bleed. Our markets weep.”
A federal lawmaker from Benue praised Tinubu’s presence. She said it shows the state matters. She said she will push for new funding in Abuja.
Yet others see the visit as late. They ask why it came only after mass graves and road blockades.
Analysts say Nigeria faces more violence beyond Benue. They point to clashes in Plateau and Kaduna states. They say Tinubu’s visit is part of a wider effort to calm unrest.
But true calm may need deeper fixes. Land disputes, poverty, and weak courts fuel these fights. Short visits cannot heal decades of tension.