President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has adjusted his official itinerary, postponing a scheduled visit to Kaduna State and redirecting his attention to Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, as part of his administration’s renewed efforts to tackle the prolonged violence and insecurity plaguing the region.
a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the presidency emphasized that the change in schedule reflects the President’s urgent concern over the “persistent conflict affecting communities in the state.”
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“President Bola Tinubu has rescheduled his official visit to Kaduna State. Instead, he will travel to Benue State on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, as part of renewed efforts to foster peace and address the persistent conflict affecting communities in the state,” Onanuga announced.
The President is expected to embark on a fact-finding mission, meeting with a wide spectrum of stakeholders to forge a path toward peace. These include traditional rulers, political and religious leaders, community representatives, and youth groups.
“The President’s visit aims to assess firsthand the recurring crisis that has claimed numerous lives and caused significant destruction,” Onanuga stated.
In anticipation of the President’s visit, a high-powered delegation has already been dispatched to Benue.
According to the presidential adviser, this delegation includes the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, the National Security Adviser, heads of intelligence agencies, and the chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees.
“President Tinubu has already dispatched the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, heads of intelligence agencies, the National Security Adviser, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Defence Committees to Benue State,” the statement added.
A major highlight of the President’s visit will be a town hall meeting, where he will engage directly with local stakeholders to hear grievances and deliberate on actionable solutions.
“The President is expected to hold a town hall meeting with all stakeholders during the visit,” Onanuga confirmed.
The statement further recalled President Tinubu’s earlier condemnation of the violence in Benue State, where armed conflict and attacks by unknown assailants have left dozens dead and thousands displaced over the years.
“President Tinubu has previously condemned the ongoing violence in Benue State and called on all leaders and residents to embrace peace, love, and mutual understanding,” Onanuga said.“
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to all those who have suffered losses as a result of the crisis.
President Tinubu was originally slated to visit Kaduna State on Wednesday, June 18, to commission a series of state projects. That visit will now take place a day later.
“According to his itinerary released over the weekend, President Tinubu was scheduled to visit Kaduna State on Wednesday to commission various state government projects. However, the official visit will now occur on Thursday, June 19, 2025,” the statement clarified.
Observers see the President’s trip to Benue as a significant move toward restoring federal presence and urgency to a region that has long pleaded for intervention.
With security high on the national agenda, the outcome of this visit may shape broader government strategies in addressing communal conflicts across the Middle Belt.
