• Police fire tear gas at protesters, IGP takes over security in Makurdi
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
Police operatives, yesterday, fired canisters of teargas at angry youths who took over Wurukum roundabout in Makurdi, Benue State, to protest the renewed killings across the state.
In the early hours of Saturday, June 15, gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked Yelwata and Daudu in Guma Local Government Area killing over 200 people and leaving others with various degrees of injuries.
Their victims included security agents, aged persons as well as women and children IDPs who were earlier chased from their communities following attacks.
Daily Sun gathered that the attacks were unprovoked as women and children had their throats slit in their sleep while families have been wiped out.
The killings came barely a week after Aondona and other communities in Gwer West LGA were attacked leaving close to a hundred people dead.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Olufemi Oloyede on Monday, June 2, 2025, relocated temporarily to Makurdi to tackle the worsening security challenges in the state. He however left less than 48 hours after he visited Governor Hyacinth Alia and some communities.
Angered by the unabated killings, youths took to the streets, blocked the popular Wurukum roundabout and disrupted both human and vehicular movements. The protesters, dressed in black clothing and carrying fresh leaves, demanded an urgent action from authorities to address the recurring violence in the state. They brandished banners marked with bloody writings such as “A Cry for Help. Stop Benue Killings,” “Benue Bleeds,” among others.
The demonstration, under the hashtag #StopBenueKillings, attracted a large crowd and drew the attention of security agencies.
Speaking to newsmen on behalf of the youths, Brahms Ikuan, said the state has been under siege for a long time and the authorities did nothing about the people’s plights.
He regretted that even when they had useful information about the movement of the attackers and reported to the authorities, they did nothing about it.
He also accused the authorities of conspiracy of silence on the ongoing genocide adding that Benue may seize to exist if urgent steps were not taken to end the killings.
Also speaking, Mr. Gideon Inyom accused the government of giving the herders unchallenged access into the Benue communities by relaxing the State’s anti open grazing law. Inyom said all they wanted was security of lives and property which he said was the primary responsibility of every government worldwide.
Addressing the media at the protest scene, Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari said IGP Egbetokun has taken over security in the state with a pledge to apprehend the killers wherever they may be hiding.
He appealed to the protesters to be patient as they were working hard to nip the challenges in the bud. “The IG has taken over the security of Benue State. As I speak to you now the IG has already sent Special Forces who are already on ground and more are coming. All the Special Forces are intelligence forces, they will go no matter where the bandits are and get them.
He said Governor Alia has already given them the necessary support to tackle the situation saying “All the logistics, every support we need and we are going to do it just be patient.
“Whatever is paining you is paining us more. We are here to protect lives and property. We have security everywhere now, even in Yelwata. There are tactical teams in the bush even before the attack.
“Give the special forces and tactical teams a room to work. If you prolong your stay here you are giving the enemies more time to plan. We have intelligence reports of their movement and we are blocking them and you will see the end result,” he said.
He appealed for calm and assured that security agencies were working to apprehend the attackers. He also advised against prolonged protests, stating that it could interfere with security operations.
“I was monitoring and at the checking point for more than six hours. Tell your people to calm down, we need the support of the youth and everybody in Benue State.
“It a phase and we are passing through it already. We have already cut the head of the snake and we will get the peace that we deserved.
“Instead of being in the bush with other security agencies, we are here. If you prolong your actions here, you’re giving an opportunity for the enemies to plan. We have intelligence of their movement and we are blocking them.”
Shortly after his address, videos of protesters being teargassed by police surfaced on social media.
“There are security trucks stationed at the Wurukum roundabout in Makurdi, where the #StopBenueKillings protesters are gathered, and a helicopter is hovering over them,” a protester said in one of the videos.
“If this energy were directed toward securing lives in the state, residents wouldn’t be protesting. Protesters have, as usual, been tear-gassed and dispersed.”
As canisters hissed through the air, protesters fled in different directions, coughing and shielding their faces.
A police helicopter hovered overhead with several patrol vans stationed at strategic locations in the state capital.
•Gov reacts
Governor Alia confirmed that a combined team of tactical and response squads has started arriving in the state to address the ongoing security challenges.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula, the governor said the special forces and additional security deployments were for vulnerable areas.
He condemned the attacks and massacre of innocent citizens at Yelwata by suspected criminal herders.
“I acknowledge and share in your pains and grief caused by these attacks on the community by criminal elements suspected to be armed herdsmen.
“The state government is consistently engaging with federal security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen security interventions and provide lasting solutions to these persistent attacks.
“We assure citizens that more tactical teams have started arriving in Benue from the Federal Government, and additional security deployments are being arranged for vulnerable areas.
“Response squad teams are also deployed and will be in Benue from Sunday; strategic community dialogues are ongoing to enhance active intelligence sharing.
“The state’s joint operations units are also being strengthened, and the government will not relent in its utmost commitment to defending the lives and properties of all residents,” he added.
Alia further called on religious, traditional and political leaders across the state to sensitise and guide the youths under their influence against unlawful gatherings or confrontations that may spiral out of control.
The governor appealed to the public to make use of official communication channels to report any suspicious activities and to stay informed through credible sources.
He said the state government remained committed to justice, peace, and security for all.
Alia said his deputy, Mr Sam Ode, had visited the scene of the heinous act to identify with the people.
He assured the people that he would not rest on his oars to ensure that total peace is achieved in the state.
•Benue LG boss bans forest logging activities
Chairman, Agatu Local Government Area, Mr Melvin Ejeh, has imposed an immediate and comprehensive ban on all forest logging activities in Agatu West.
Ejeh, in a statement said the declaration was another resolute effort to address the escalating security concerns that have beset the LGA.
He said the directive takes immediate effect and it was imperative that all stakeholders and residents adhere to the policy with utmost seriousness.
“The decision to impose this ban is informed by the alarming rate of insecurity that has plagued our area, largely exacerbated by the unregulated activities of loggers.
“The incessant logging has not only led to severe environmental degradation but has also created avenues for criminal elements to operate with impunity.
“The resultant effect is a heightened sense of insecurity, which has become a source of grave concern for us all.
“In light of this, it has become imperative for us to take decisive action to safeguard the well-being and safety of our residents.
“The ban on logging activities is a proactive measure aimed at mitigating the security risks associated with unregulated logging,” he said.
Ejeh stated that the ban would also contribute to the preservation of the environment and the protection of natural resources for future generations.
The chairman emphasised that the ban was non-negotiable, and any individual or group found engaging in logging activities without proper authorisation would face the full weight of the law.
According to him, all logging activities henceforth requires clearance from the local government chairman himself.
He urged all residents to comply with this directive and report any logging activities to the council authorities.
“Your cooperation and vigilance are crucial in our collective efforts to create a safer and more secure environment for all.
“I assure you that Agatu Local Government Council remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to address the security challenges facing our area and implement measures that promote peace and stability,” he added.