By Rita Anansewa
Hundreds of youths took to the streets of Makurdi, Benue State, on Sunday, blocking major roads in protest against ongoing attacks and killings allegedly carried out by armed herders. The demonstration followed the gruesome killing of over 200 people, including women, children, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), in Yeluwata, Guma Local Government Area, on Saturday.
The youths, numbering in their thousands, gathered at the popular Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi as early as 7 a.m., chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with messages such as “Stop Benue killings,” “Government has failed us,” and “We will not surrender to Fulani.” Their protest brought traffic to a standstill, leaving commuters stranded for hours.
Attempts by Benue State Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ifeanyi Emenari, to calm the situation were rejected by the angry demonstrators. However, it took the intervention of activist and social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to eventually convince the youths to consider ending their protest.
The demonstrators demanded immediate and decisive action from the Federal Government to secure the lives and property of Benue residents. They also called on security agencies to step up operations to ensure displaced communities can safely return to their ancestral homes.
Reacting to the tragic incident, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State condemned the killings, stating that no provocation justifies the taking of innocent lives. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police confirmed that the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, has taken over security operations in the state.
President Bola Tinubu, through a statement issued by his spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, described the killings as “inhuman and anti-progress.” He directed security agencies to act decisively, arrest the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. Tinubu also urged political and community leaders in Benue to avoid inflammatory statements and instead work together to foster peace and reconciliation.
“The bloodletting must end. I call on Governor Alia to lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation. Our people must live in peace, and this can be achieved through fairness, openness, and justice,” Tinubu stated.
Also speaking on the crisis, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, described the killings as a failure of governance and a stain on the nation’s conscience. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar echoed similar sentiments, urging Nigerians of all backgrounds to unite in condemning the violence and demanding accountability.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) raised alarm over the continuing violence, warning that if left unchecked, it could ignite broader ethnic conflict. The group also called for the dismissal of security chiefs over their failure to protect the lives of citizens.
In the affected border communities, including Kadarko and other Tiv settlements near Yeluwata, tension remains high as residents fear further attacks.
Speaking to the press, one of the protest leaders, Mr. Seedoff Mbapuun, said the protest was a response to years of unrelenting violence. “People are killed every day in Benue, and the world is not aware. We’ve had enough,” he said.
Another resident, Mr. Brahms Ikuan, lamented the lack of government response. “Despite the killings, there has been no word from the authorities. Benue is being wiped out, and the world is silent,” he said.
The situation in Benue remains tense as citizens demand urgent and sustained government action to address the crisis.
