Benue Killings: Outrage as Youths Block Roads in Protest

Mass protests erupted across Benue State yesterday as hundreds of angry youths blocked major roads in Makurdi, expressing outrage over the persistent killings and displacement of residents by armed herders.

This follows Saturday’s deadly attack in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area, where suspected herdsmen killed no fewer than 200 men, women, children, and displaced persons.

In response to the massacre, President Bola Tinubu ordered security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators, describing the killings as “inhuman and anti-progress.”

Protesters Storm Makurdi

Thousands of protesters converged on the Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with inscriptions such as “Stop Benue Killings,” “Government Has Failed Us,” and “We Will Not Surrender to Fulani.” They demanded that the Federal Government fulfill its constitutional duty of protecting lives and property.

The protest became tense when the Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, attempted to address the crowd but was rebuffed. The situation escalated until popular social media activist Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan (VDM), intervened, urging the youths to remain peaceful and strategic in their protest.

VDM decried the tragedy:

I saw children burnt to ashes. People’s crops and food were destroyed. This state has suffered since I was a child. The government has failed to act decisively.

He cautioned against violent protests and encouraged a peaceful demonstration strategy:

Blocking roads won’t yield results. We must protest smartly and civilly. We are in 2025; let us use technology and peaceful assembly to push for justice.

Following his appeal, the youths agreed to clear the roads and disperse, vowing to organize a formal protest with police approval.

Voices of Grief and Anger

Protesters expressed deep frustration. Youth leader Seedoff Mbapuun said:

The killings are out of hand. We’ve cried, written letters, but no one listened. The world must hear us now.

 

Brahms Ikuan added:

We are not sure there’ll be a place called Benue tomorrow.

Gideon Inyom criticized the government’s relaxation of the anti-open grazing law, blaming it for the renewed attacks.

As the protest unfolded, youths made bonfires and prepared food on the road, further emphasizing their readiness for a prolonged demonstration until their cries were heard.

Government and National Reactions

Governor Hyacinth Alia, through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, condemned the killings, calling them barbaric. Represented by his deputy during a visit to the affected community, he assured:

The state government is engaging security agencies and stakeholders to find lasting solutions. Joint operations units are being strengthened to protect lives and properties.

IGP Takes Over Security in Benue

Benue State Police Commissioner Ifeanyi Emenari confirmed that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has taken over the security situation in the state, deploying tactical teams and special forces.

We’ve taken control of Apa, Gwer West, and are moving into Agatu. Yelwata was targeted to show they still have control—they don’t, and they never will.

 

Peter Obi: “This is a National Emergency”

Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi described the massacre as a failure of leadership and a national disgrace:

This is not just violence; it is a national emergency. Over 200 lives wiped out in one attack. We must reject the normalization of mass killings. A safe, secure Benue is not too much to ask.

He called for urgent, comprehensive action and justice for the victims.

Atiku: “We Must Hold Leaders Accountable”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also reacted, urging a national reflection on the escalating insecurity:

This is a national emergency that demands decisive action. All Nigerians must unite in condemning this atrocity and holding our leaders accountable.

He called for a transparent investigation, stronger security deployment, and support for affected communities.

HURIWA Warns of Looming Ethnic Conflict

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) condemned the killings and criticized the Federal Government for retaining "incompetent security chiefs."

The government is playing with fire. Rural communities have been left defenseless while security chiefs remain in Abuja.

Pope Leo XIV, Amnesty International React

In a statement on Vatican News, Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for the victims and called for peace, particularly for the Christian communities of Benue who have faced relentless violence.

Amnesty International Nigeria urged Nigerian authorities to end the bloodshed and ensure justice for victims of the Yelwata massacre.

Fear Grips Border Communities

Tension is rising in Kadarko and other Tiv communities in Nasarawa State, near the Benue border. Residents, fearing more attacks, have fled their homes.

Mathias, a local farmer, recounted:

We slept in the bush. The gunfire was terrifying. Are we no longer protected by our government, or is the government complicit?

The Benue massacre has once again exposed Nigeria’s fragile security architecture and the growing frustration among citizens. With national figures and civil society calling for urgent action, the government is under increasing pressure to deliver justice, restore security, and end the cycle of violence plaguing the Middle Belt region.

Source: Vanguard Nigeria