BREAKING: Rain-Soaked Benue Pupils Line Up Makurdi Roads For Hours To Welcome President Tinubu

Schoolchildren in the Benue State capital, Makurdi, were made to line major roads on Tuesday to welcome President Bola Tinubu, despite the declaration of a public holiday and heavy downpour that left many drenched and shivering.

President Tinubu visited Benue State on a one-day trip to commiserate with the people of Yelewata following a recent massacre in the area, allegedly carried out by herdsmen.

The students, drawn from both primary and secondary schools, said they were directed by school authorities to gather along the streets hours before the president’s motorcade passed through Makurdi.

 The pupils and students told News Central TV that they were instructed to line the streets to welcome President Tinubu, even as the state government declared Wednesday a public holiday. 

Despite the poor weather, with cars splashing water on some of them, they stayed in place to greet the president's entourage. 

It was gathered that many of the students stood in the rain without adequate cover, as cars passed by, splashing water on them. 

Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that severe flooding has rendered the Makurdi–Lafia–Abuja highway impassable, just hours before President Bola Tinubu’s scheduled visit to Benue State.

The highway, a major route into the state capital, was submerged by heavy floodwaters on Tuesday, leaving motorists and passengers stranded. 

Many commuters were forced to postpone their journeys or take shelter in nearby communities as the water levels rose rapidly.

SaharaReporters reported earlier that Tinubu arrived at the Makurdi Airport located at the tactical air command in Benue State.

He arrived at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Makurdi, at about 12:58 pm.