Youths in Benue State expressed their anger on Monday by pulling down All Progressives Congress (APC) flags during President Bola Tinubu's visit to the state following recent deadly attacks in Yelwata and Daudu communities in Guma local government area.
President Tinubu had announced plans to postpone his scheduled Kaduna visit to instead visit Benue State, which has been devastated by recent violence that claimed numerous lives and wiped out entire families. The presidential visit came after widespread criticism over the administration's delayed response to the tragedy.
Protest Against Perceived Political Campaigning
According to videos circulating on social media, groups of youths were seen forcibly removing APC flags from supporters who had gathered to welcome the President. During the protest, demonstrators accused the President of using the visit as a campaign opportunity ahead of the 2027 elections rather than genuinely sympathizing with victims of the attacks.
"We no go gree," chanted hundreds of youths in one video, causing concern among bystanders who mistook the commotion for gunfire. In another clip, protesters were heard shouting "No more APC flags" as they tore down party insignia. Additional footage showed people running amid what appeared to be sounds of teargas being deployed against the protesters.
Tor Tiv Rejects Herder-Farmer Clash Narrative
During the President's visit, the Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty Prof. James Ayatse, firmly rejected claims that the killings resulted from herder-farmer clashes. In his address to President Tinubu, he described the situation in stark terms.
"What we are dealing with here in Benue is a calculated, well-planned, full-scale genocidal invasion and land grabbing campaign by herder terrorists and bandits, which has been going on for decades and is worsening every year," the traditional ruler stated.
He emphasized that misdiagnosing the problem would lead to ineffective solutions. "Wrong diagnosis will always lead to wrong treatment. So, we are dealing with something far more sinister than we think about. It's not learning to live with your neighbours; it is dealing with the war," he stressed, calling for decisive action to end the killings.
The Tor Tiv also accused politicians of politicizing the crisis and seeking to have a state of emergency declared in Benue.
During his address in Benue, President Tinubu reportedly criticized the Police chief over the absence of arrests days after the massacre, highlighting growing frustration with security responses to the ongoing violence in the region.
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