The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has arrived in Benue State and directed the immediate deployment of additional tactical units to help restore calm amid ongoing deadly attacks.
The Nigeria Police Force made this known in a statement shared Monday on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, confirming the IGP’s presence in the crisis-ridden state.
“IGP arrives Benue, orders for additional deployment of tactical teams,” the brief update read.
The intervention follows increasing public anger and growing calls on social media for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the state, after a spate of violent attacks believed to be carried out by armed herders.
Earlier reports indicated that at least 45 people were killed in Guma Local Government Area alone.
However, community sources have claimed the real figure could exceed 200, with disturbing accounts of entire families being burned to death and some security personnel among the victims.
Many Nigerians have criticised the federal government for its silence over the Benue tragedy, contrasting it with the swift response to the political crisis in Rivers State in March, where a state of emergency was considered despite the absence of casualties.
