Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has donated N1 billion to support victims of deadly bandit attacks in Yelwata and Dauda communities of Benue State, calling on residents to embrace peace and unity to rebuild their lives.

Mrs Tinubu made the donation on Tuesday during a condolence visit to the state, saying the gesture was made through the Renewed Hope Initiative to help families recover from the devastating losses.

“The killings are heart-wrenching and completely unnecessary,” she said. “As a mother, I urge you to let go of grievances and return to peaceful coexistence. Dialogue and patience are always better than violence.”

She noted that peace is essential to development, especially in a state like Benue, widely regarded as Nigeria’s food basket.

“Benue has so much to contribute to national growth, particularly in the area of food security. We cannot afford to allow conflict to destroy such a vital part of our nation,” she added.

Responding to earlier remarks, Mrs Tinubu promised to relay the concerns raised by the community to President Bola Tinubu and other relevant authorities.

Governor Hyacinth Alia welcomed the First Lady to the state and described her intervention as timely and compassionate. He used the occasion to push for the establishment of state and community policing as a more effective response to insecurity.

“These killings underscore the urgent need for a more localised approach to policing,” the governor stated. “Swift intelligence gathering and immediate response will help protect lives and communities.”

Traditional ruler and paramount leader of the Tiv people, Tor Tiv, Prof. James Ayatse, called on security agencies to take stronger action against violent herders whom he described as a major threat to the state’s agricultural output and food production.

“These terrorists have disrupted farming and displaced thousands,” he said. “We appeal to the federal government to urgently support the state in flushing them out so that displaced people can return to their ancestral lands.”

The traditional leader also pleaded for support to rebuild affected communities and restore the livelihoods of internally displaced persons.

“We want these communities to regain normalcy. It’s not just about returning to their lands; it’s about restoring their dignity and ability to provide food for themselves and the nation,” he said.

The visit comes amid growing insecurity in many parts of the country, and it adds weight to ongoing calls for practical steps to protect rural communities and enhance national food security.