By Charles Pemu 
Following a recent wave of deadly attacks that have claimed scores of lives, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has arrived in Benue State and ordered the immediate deployment of additional tactical teams to the embattled region.
The IGP’s directive, confirmed by the Nigeria Police Force via a statement on X today, Monday, comes amidst mounting public outrage and growing calls on social media for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Benue. These calls follow a two-day killing spree by suspected herders, which has exacerbated the state’s security challenges.
Earlier reports indicated that at least 45 people were confirmed dead in Guma Local Government Area alone, though local leaders fear the toll could tragically exceed 200, with accounts of entire families burned alive and even security officers among the victims.
Nigerians have widely criticized what they perceive as federal silence on the Benue killings, often drawing a stark contrast to the government’s swift and decisive response to political unrest in Rivers State in March, which saw a state of emergency declared despite no reported fatalities. The deployment of tactical teams marks a direct, high-level intervention aimed at quelling the escalating violence.