By Amos Aar
HUNDREDS of youths in Benue State staged a peaceful protest in Makurdi on Sunday, blocking the Wurukum Roundabout and major roads to express their outrage over the continued killings by suspected armed herders.
The protest followed the attack in Yelwata in Guma LGA where approximately 200 people were reportedly killed last Friday night.
The protest began around 10am., with demonstrators — mostly young people dressed in black — blocking both lanes of the new bridge, disrupting vehicular movement between the northern and southern parts of the city for several hours.
Many carried placards with messages such as: “Stop Benue Killings,” “Enough is Enough,” and “President Tinubu, Wake Up.”
Protesters also set tires ablaze on major roads, including Otukpo Road, Katsina-Ala Street, and David Jebe Street, prompting security forces to intervene.
Police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd of protesters and prevent potential hijacking of the protest by hoodlums.
Benue State Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mr. Matthew Abo, commended the youths for conducting a protest without destruction or harassment, stating that their message was clearly conveyed.
Chief Joseph Har, Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, acknowledged the protesters’ right to peaceful assembly but criticized the burning of tires on paved roads, warning that such actions damage public infrastructure.
“They have a right to a peaceful protest, and they are justifiably angered by the killings,” he said. “However, I urge them to direct their frustration toward the real enemy, which is insecurity. We must not destroy public property while expressing our grievances.”
Chief Har also cautioned against violence, noting reports of some protesters harassing residents and damaging vehicles. He called for unity and calm in addressing the state’s security challenges.
Tensions rose when Deputy Governor Sam Ode attempted to address the protesters. The crowd rejected his intervention, demanding to speak only with Governor Hyacinth Alia.
Security personnel eventually dispersed the group as they attempted to march toward the Government House.
Among the demonstrators was activist Very Dark Man (VDM), who travelled from Abuja to participate. After the protest, he visited Yelwata, the site of the recent attack, where he reportedly provided financial assistance to some victims.
