Hundreds of youths in Benue State on Sunday took to the streets to protest the continued attacks, killings, and displacement of residents across the state.
The protest was triggered by the killing of several people in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area, on Friday night.
The demonstrators gathered at Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi, calling on the Federal Government to fulfill its constitutional responsibility of protecting all citizens.
They also urged security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure the safe return of displaced people to their ancestral homes and the restoration of normal life.
Speaking to journalists, Mr. Brahms Ikuan said the state had long been under siege, with little meaningful action taken by the government to address the crisis.
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He expressed frustration that even when credible intelligence was provided about the movement of attackers, authorities failed to act, allowing further bloodshed.
Ikuan accused the government of maintaining a conspiratorial silence amid what he described as an ongoing genocide, warning that Benue might cease to exist if nothing is done urgently.
“We cried, sent messages, and wrote letters, but nobody listened. No one came to our aid. Right now, we are not even sure there will be a Benue tomorrow.
“Despite the killings in Yelwata yesterday, there has been no official statement from the government or any prominent individual. We have been abandoned.
“We want the world to know that Benue is being wiped off the map, and nobody seems to care,” he said.
Another protester, Mr. Gideon Inyom, accused the government of allowing herders unrestricted access to communities by relaxing the state’s anti-open grazing law.
He emphasized that all the people wanted was security of lives and property, which is the primary duty of any responsible government.
Responding at the scene, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emenari Ifeanyi, told reporters that the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, had taken control of security operations in Benue.
Ifeanyi revealed that special police forces had been deployed to the state to end the ongoing violence and restore peace.
He explained that security agencies were actively engaged in the crisis and called on youths and residents to give the newly deployed forces a chance to operate effectively.
“What happened in Yelwata was a reaction to our recent takeover of Apa, Gwer West, and our ongoing operations in Agatu. The attackers want to send a message, but they’re not in control and they never will be.
“We feel the pain too. We are here to protect lives and property. We had tactical teams in Yelwata even before the attack.
“Please allow these special forces to do their work. Prolonging your protest only gives the enemies more time to regroup,” he said.
The police commissioner added that intelligence reports were being acted upon and assured the people of tangible results soon. He also confirmed that Governor Hyacinth Alia had provided the necessary logistics to support security operations.
NAN
