Youths in Benue State took to the streets on Sunday in a tense demonstration against the continued violence and killings ravaging the state. The protesters, who gathered in large numbers.
The demonstrators began their protest as early as 7 a.m. at the main gate of Moses Orshio University (formerly Benue State University) along Makurdi-Gboko Road. Dressed in black to mourn the lives lost, the angry demonstrators carried palm fronds and placards with various inscriptions condemning the attacks on their communities. Their action effectively shut down vehicular movement along the ever-busy road, triggering panic and frustration among commuters who were caught in the blockade.
This protest erupted less than 24 hours after suspected armed herdsmen reportedly attacked Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 persons were allegedly killed. The horrifying scale of the assault, one of the deadliest in recent times, has deepened fears among residents and sparked outrage across the state.
In response to rising tensions, the Benue State Government had earlier cautioned residents, particularly the youth, against unlawful protests and confrontations. The government’s appeal for restraint was aimed at preventing a breakdown of law and order as tempers flared across the affected communities.
The protesters converged on the Wurukum Roundabout, symbolically surrounding the Food Basket statue while chanting, “Stop Benue killings! Stop Benue killings!”.
However, the protesting youths insisted they could no longer remain silent in the face of repeated bloodshed. They expressed anger at what they described as abandonment by the authorities and demanded urgent and concrete security measures to halt the attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“We are tired of burying our people every day. Enough is enough,” some of the placards read as the demonstrators chanted slogans calling for peace and justice.
Security operatives were deployed to the scene to prevent the protest from escalating into widespread unrest, even as tensions remain high in the area.
