Benue declares Wednesday public holiday to ‘honour’ Tinubu’s visit over recent attacks

The Benue state government has declared Wednesday, June 18, as a public holiday to “honour” the visit of President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu is scheduled to visit Benue due to the recent killings in Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma LGA of the state where suspected criminal herders murdered over 100 residents.

The incident has sparked nationwide outrage as many Nigerians criticised the president for not showing immediate interest to visit the affected communities.

However, Tinubu, who was expected to visit Kaduna, put his trip on hold till Thursday for him to travel to Benue and commiserate with the state government and families of victims of the attacks.

In a notice issued on Tuesday, Deborah Aber, secretary to the Benue state government, announced the public holiday for the president’s visit.

Aber said only security operatives, health workers and bankers are exempted from the holiday and urged residents to come out en masse to welcome the president and his entourage.

“The Benue State Government has declared Wednesday 18th June 2025 as public holiday,” the statement reads.

“This is in honour of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces of the federal Republic of Nigeria, Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR who is scheduled for a one-day visit to the State, to commiserate with the government and people of the State over incessant security crises.

“Benue residents are urged to come out in en masse to receive the President and his entourage to the state, on this presidential commiseration visit.”