Protests Erupt in Makurdi Over Escalating Killings
MAKURDI, BENUE STATE – Hundreds of distraught residents, clad in black and fueled by grief, converged on the Wurukum Food Basket Roundabout in Makurdi, Benue State capital, as early as 8:00 AM today. The massive protest was a fervent demand for immediate action from both federal and state governments following a wave of alleged killings that have plunged various communities across Benue into mourning.
The demonstration comes on the heels of the latest brutal attack in the early hours of Saturday, June 14, in communities within the Guma Local Government Area of the state. This incident follows previous reports of widespread killings in other parts of Benue, including Gwer West and Apa Local Government Areas, painting a grim picture of escalating insecurity.
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Chanting solidarity songs and displaying banners, leaves, and placards, the protesters vocalized their anguish and defiance. Their initial attempts to march were met with resistance from security agencies, including the Police and soldiers. What began as a peaceful demonstration escalated when law enforcement officers reportedly fired tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Despite the show of force, the protesters remained resolute, directly appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia to address the rampant insecurity. "Yesterday, over 200 people were killed in their sleep! What kind of a thing is this, and Mr. President is quiet? The Governor is quiet!" one impassioned protester lamented. "These people are not asking for political alphabet; they are just killing people in their sleep."
Emotional scenes unfolded as many mourned the loss of loved ones, expressing their frustration and despair at the government's perceived inaction. "We have been running from ancestral home to Makurdi," another protester cried out, highlighting the displacement caused by the violence. "People have been running again from Ado to Yelwata to this place, and Makurdi is not safe. Where are we running to? We continue running from these herdsmen."
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The demonstrators expressed a desperate desire for self-preservation amidst the perceived failure of state protection. "We need to stay alive; we want to just leave right now. We are pleading for our lives," one person stated. "If the security agencies cannot protect us, they should give us the right to protect ourselves."
An attempt by the Deputy Governor to pacify the agitated crowd met with strong resistance, underscoring the depth of their frustration.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has promised to take the protesters' demands for increased security seriously. "The Governor has already given us all the necessary support, all the logistics, every support we need, and we are not going to disappoint anybody. Just be patient," a police representative stated.
The protest eventually dispersed as security reinforcement, both from the air and on land, forced the demonstrators to clear the roundabout. However, the raw emotions and urgent calls for action from the people of Benue resonate, highlighting a critical security challenge demanding immediate and decisive government intervention.
