Security forces dispersed hundreds of protesters who gathered at Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi, Benue State capital on Saturday, as residents demonstrated against the continuous killings by Fulani herdsmen in multiple communities.
The protesters, predominantly youth and women, carried placards and chanted demands for government action to address the unending bloodshed in Yelewata and communities across Guma, Logo, Ukum, Kwande, Agatu, Buruku, and several other areas.
According to eyewitnesses, the initially peaceful demonstration turned chaotic when security personnel arrived and began firing tear gas and live rounds into the air. The dispersal order was reportedly given by Governor Hyacinth Alia and executed by a joint force of security operatives alongside armed individuals chanting "No Alia No Benue."
The confrontation resulted in injuries and several arrests, though many protesters remained defiant despite the police response. One protester, who was later detained by plain-clothed operatives, expressed concern about the safety of Benue residents, stating, "Benue people must be protected before they get killed even more by the very man they elected to protect them."
Political Tensions Emerge
The incident has sparked political controversy, with some government supporters claiming the protest was not genuine but rather a sponsored plot by Abuja politicians to destabilize Governor Alia's administration and potentially force a state of emergency in Benue.
A pro-government supporter, speaking on condition of anonymity, alleged that the presence of a popular social media activist known as VeryDarkMan in the state was part of a larger plan to embarrass Governor Alia before the President. The supporter quoted the governor as saying, "I am the Governor of Benue State now and so it shall always be."
As of the time of reporting, Wurukum and surrounding areas remain under heavy security presence as tensions continue to simmer over the government's response to the ongoing security challenges in the state.
The Yelewata killings have drawn widespread condemnation, with calls for the government to reevaluate security strategies, particularly around the Benue-Nasarawa corridor.
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