President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday told the people of Benue State that the value of human life must be held above that of cows, as he paid a condolence visit to the state amid renewed waves of brutal killings by suspected armed herders.

Speaking during a town hall meeting in Makurdi, the state capital, the President emphasised the urgency of ending violence and holding onto peace.

He warned that insecurity only serves the interests of political enemies seeking to destabilise the country.

He said, “The value of human life is greater than that of a cow. And it is only when you open the door for conflict that political enemies will come in. Political enemies, they don’t want you to succeed. Are you just realising that? No matter what I do, they will still abuse me.

“I read paper every time, I listen to transmission whenever I have time, I see people abusing me and what type of abuse. I can't see it all, and it is from the mouth of my critics that I get some ideas and say, put it there, and I will go and do it. I will preempt you. You are a failure. You just spoke. And me, I am a performer.”

The President’s remarks come in the wake of a fresh wave of deadly attacks in Benue, with dozens reported killed and many others displaced in recent weeks.

Residents, civil society groups, and community leaders had also accused security agencies of negligence and complicity.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Tinubu landed at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Makurdi around 12:58 pm on Wednesday. The state government declared a public holiday in his honour.

A circular dated June 17, 2025, signed by Hon. Francis U. Ngutswen, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Special Groups Mobilisation, directed support groups to stage a “colourful shoulder-to-shoulder spread/procession” from the airport through Wurukum Roundabout to the Government House, where the President was scheduled to address stakeholders.

“I am pleased to notify you at the instance of our dear Governor, His Excellency Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the Leader of All Progressives Congress in Benue State, to mobilize massively to give a rousing welcome to our President,” the letter read.

The memo also outlined strict accreditation protocols based on “numbers and colours,” asking group leaders to coordinate with the Governor’s Office for logistics.

President Tinubu also held consultations with traditional rulers, religious leaders, political actors, and youth representatives in the state, promising a more proactive federal response to the crisis.