Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to Benue.
President Tinubu renewed his order in the wake of the latest round of reprisal attacks that led to the death of many people, Mr Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, said in a statement.
Gov. Hyacinth Alia on Sunday confirmed the killing of 59 persons at Yelewata on Saturday, where unidentified gunmen attacked the border town.
Addressing journalists at the Government House, Alia said the figures were based on physical head counts by security agencies working with families of those killed.
Among those killed were military and civil defence personnel who fought to defend Yelewata against the attacks.
“On the President’s directive, intelligence chiefs, police and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity,” the President stated.