Nigerian police fired teargas at protesters in Benue State on Sunday as citizens demonstrated against the brutal killing of over 200 residents in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area.
The protesters, dressed in black and carrying placards, had gathered to demand justice and immediate action from both state and federal governments following the massacre allegedly perpetrated by armed herdsmen.
What began as a peaceful demonstration quickly descended into chaos when security forces arrived at the scene and deployed teargas canisters to disperse the crowd. Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic as protesters scattered for safety, with some reportedly sustaining injuries during the resulting stampede.
Growing Tensions in Benue
The incident highlights escalating tensions in the region, where communities have faced recurring attacks. In a related development, angry Benue youths reportedly chased away the Police Commissioner from the protest ground, telling him to "Go to Yelewata" instead of confronting demonstrators.
Governor Hyacinth Alia has been accused by some youth groups of paying mere lip service to the killings. The governor had earlier decried the massacre and pledged to deploy more security operatives to affected areas.
The protests have spread beyond the initial gathering, with reports indicating that angry youths blocked the Abuja-Makurdi highway in a bid to draw national attention to the security crisis.
Franc Utoo, a prominent figure in the state, has also publicly mourned the over 100 people reportedly killed in the Yelewata attack by suspected herdsmen.
The Yelewata massacre represents one of the deadliest attacks in Benue State in recent times, raising serious questions about security measures in Nigeria's Middle Belt region, which has long been plagued by farmer-herder conflicts.
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