The protest followed the killing of
residents of about five communities in the state between Monday and
Tuesday by cattle rearers.
No fewer than 20 people were killed and
30 others injured when herdsmen attacked the communities in between the
New Year’s Day and Tuesday.
The invaders attacked communities in the Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state.
The protesters in Makurdi on Wednesday
almost attacked the state governor, Samuel Ortom, during his visit to
calm the frayed nerves.
Security operatives saved the day by whisking the governor into a waiting vehicle.
To avert a breakdown of law and order,
the military, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and
vigilantes were drafted to beef up security during the violent protest.
The Assistant Director of Information of
Nigerian Army, 707 Special Force, Major Olabisi Ayeni, however, denied
knowledge of any death during the protest.
Also, the spokesman, Benue State Police Command, Moses Yamu, said, “The command is not in receipt of any such report please.”
Thousands of youths across the state had
embarked on a protest in Makurdi on Wednesday, demanding an immediate
stop to herdsmen attacks.
The youth, who carried placards, blocked
the Lafia-Makurdi highway, the Otukpo road and the Old Bridge Road and
converged on the popular Wurukum roundabout.
As early as 7am, the protesters trooped
to major roads, mounting barricades in strategic areas, blocking both
entry and exit routes, which also prevented vehicular movement in and
out of Makurdi.
The President, National Association of
Ihiarev Youths, Bem Terna, lamented that despite the killings by the
herdsmen, President Muhammadu Buhari had yet to make any statement or
order the arrest of the suspects.
He said the protest would continue for seven days.
Terna stated, “The Federal Government is
not doing anything to address this situation. In fact, it is conspiring
against the state to allow this carnage to continue. The President is
adamant over the issue. We will continue to stage this protest for seven
days. We want the entire world and the international community to come
to our aid.”
The youth defied the tear gas canisters
fired by security operatives to disperse them while they kept stoning
the security agents.
The demonstrators turned violent when
Ortom visited them at Wurukum, insisting that the only person who they
were ready to listen to was Buhari.
Security operatives had to whisk away the governor in a waiting vehicle when the situation became tense.
Meanwhile, Ortom, who later spoke to
newsmen at the Government House, noted that he understood the pain of
the youths, but called for calm and urged the people to go about their
lawful business without fear.
He said he had already called for
additional deployment of security operatives in Makurdi and the local
government areas of the state.
Ortom added, “We have asked for
additional deployment of security in Makurdi and placed other local
government areas on red alert. No curfew for now as it would mean more
hardship for people travelling to their bases.
“I have reiterated my call on the
Federal Government to arrest the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore
because they have openly said they would resist the law on
open-grazing, which is an initiative of the Benue people. There is no
other alternative to ranching.
“But I think the right thing to do is
for the Federal Government to arrest the leadership of MAKH or else,
they are telling us that we are not part of Nigeria. Their threats have
become a reality and they are living in Abuja with the Federal
Government.
“If FG does not arrest them, then they are throwing us into a state of anarchy. No going back on the law.”
Source: PUNCH Nesw.
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