Benue Killings: Protesters Attempted to Attack Benue Deputy Governor – Police

A peaceful protest held in Makurdi, Benue State on Sunday turned tense as the police accused some demonstrators of attempting to attack the state’s Deputy Governor, Barrister John Ode.

The protest, led by hundreds of angry youths, was organized to draw global attention to the continued killings by suspected Fulani herdsmen across Benue communities.

Emotions were high following the latest deadly attack in Yelewata, a community in Guma Local Government Area, where nearly 250 people reportedly lost their lives.

The demonstrators gathered at the popular Wurukum roundabout in Makurdi, chanting slogans and demanding urgent action from the government. However, the protest soon escalated when some police officers began using teargas to disperse the crowd.

In response to the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said in a statement released on Monday that the protest was initially peaceful until it was “hijacked by disruptive elements.”

READ MORE: Benue Killings: 14 Protesters Detained Over Violence in Makurdi

According to DSP Edet, the Deputy Governor had visited the protest ground to speak with the youths and show solidarity. But, “unfortunately, the crowd refused to listen or allow him to address them,” he stated.

The police further claimed that as the situation became tense, some individuals within the group tried to attack the deputy governor. To prevent any harm, the police said they acted swiftly by using non-lethal methods such as smoke and water cannons to control the crowd and ensure the safety of the Deputy Governor.

“No injuries or casualties were recorded during the operation,” Edet assured.

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