As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prepares to visit Benue State later today, Governor Hyacinth Alia has ordered the immediate clearing of roadside bushes a move widely seen as a cosmetic clean-up ahead of the President’s arrival. But for many Benue residents, the gesture feels hollow in the face of persistent killings, displacement, and terror across rural communities.
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Insecurity in Benue has become an agonizing routine. Dozens of attacks allegedly by armed herdsmen have left villages decimated, families in mourning, and thousands internally displaced.
Human rights groups and local leaders have repeatedly called for federal intervention, yet many feel abandoned. Against this backdrop, the governor’s directive to tidy up roads seems less like preparation for progress and more like staging a photo op.
Reactions across social media are mixed, with many questioning the priorities of state leadership. “They are clearing bushes when people are being buried weekly,” one user wrote. Others pointed out the irony: bushes are being trimmed, but bandits still roam freely. For citizens grappling with trauma, the President’s visit is expected to bring hope let skepticism runs high.
President Tinubu’s visit could mark a turning point if it comes with real solutions, not just a polished motorcade route. Until then, critics argue that no amount of clearing bushes will cover the blood-soaked reality on Benue’s roads.
Watch.
