First Lady REMI TINUBU donates N1bn to Benue bandit attacks victims

Wednesday, July 30, 2025 - The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has presented a cheque of N1 billion for the upkeep of vic­tims who suffered attacks from bandits in Yelwata community of Benue State.

She made the presentation, when she paid a visit to Benue State on Tuesday to condole with the government and people of the state over recent attacks in the community which left over 200 persons dead and many injured and displaced.

The European Union Ambas­sador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, had raised the alarm when he visited the state, that the victims of the Yelwata attacks were facing malnutrition and were in urgent need of aids.

Mignot had rallied all stake­holders to take urgent steps to ameliorate the situation, especially as the provision of aids was also critical in Gaza, Sudan and the Sahel regions.

According to her, the gesture which is coming under the Re­newed Hope Initiative is intended to help the victims of the dastardly attacks get back on their feet very fast.

Upon arrival at the state, she first made a stop over at the Gov­ernment House where she met Governor Hyacinth Alia.

The visit offered the governor an opportunity to re-echo the need for state policing which has been on the forefront of national discuss for a while.

Mrs. Tinubu decried the kill­ings which she described as heart wrenching and unnecessary.

“As a mother, I urge you all to bury any grievances and go back to cordial and peaceful coexistence.

“When there are disagree­ments, dialogue and patience re­main the best solution, rather than violence. The way of peace is the way of love and love is the greatest power on earth. Despite it suffers long, it conquers all things”.

She pointed out that peaceful co-existence remains the panacea for increase, growth and develop­ment of any community, people or nation.

“Benue State is known as the nation’s “food basket” because of its rich and diverse agricultural produce. Benue State has a lot to contribute to our nation’s growth and prosperity, especially in the area of food security”.

In response to some of the prayers of earlier speakers, Sen­ator Oluremi Tinubu assured that all that had been said would be passed on to the president and other concerned authorities.

Earlier the governor of the state, Rev Father Hyacinth Alia, observed that the recent killings in the state re-emphasises the ur­gent need for state and community policing.

“This just underscores the ur­gent need for state and communi­ty policing which will ensure swift and timely response, effective intel­ligence information gathering and safer communities”.

He commended the First Lady’s initiative, Renewed Hope Initiative, which he said has been character­ised by compassion, kindness and support.

“Benue State is overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness, kind­ness, compassion, empathy and support. We see this and it is a much-admired leadership we ap­preciate and cherish”.