…Calls for Tinubu’s resignation, as Alia orders arrest, disperse protesters
Angry youths in Benue State staged a protest on Sunday, blocking the Abuja-Makurdi highway to express their frustration over ongoing killings in the state.
Dressed in black and carrying palm fronds along with placards bearing strong messages, the demonstrators called for urgent steps to halt the bloodshed affecting communities across the state.
The protest followed a deadly attack on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, allegedly carried out by armed herdsmen, in which over 200 lives were reportedly lost.
Earlier, the Benue State Government had banned what it termed as ‘unlawful gathering’ cautioning against unauthorized protests, particularly among youths, amid rising tensions.
Despite the call for calm, the protesters voiced a sense of neglect and urged the government to implement effective security measures and ensure justice for the victims.
One of the protesters identified as Ali Joshua David said, “the primary responsibility of the government is to protect lives and property… this administration has failed us…where should we run to? We continue running from these herders and our leaders, our governor remains quiet, if they cannot protect us, they should quietly resign”
Another protester said’ “we have become IDPs in our own country, if President Tinubu cannot contain the security situation in the North Central, he should step aside.”
On his part, Mr Martins Innocent Otse, otherwise known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) enjoined the youths to implore civil approach to draw the attention of government. He further stated in the Nigerian pidgin English, ‘I don de hear about Benue killings no be today, its time for it to end.”
In the heat of the protest, Benue State Police command dispersed the protesters.
The order to disperse the protesters was reportedly given by Gov Hyacinth Alia and was swiftly executed with a joint force of security operatives and armed thugs who were chanting “No Alia No Benue”.
Eyewitnesses say the protest was peaceful until security personnel arrived and began firing tear gas and shooting into the air to disperse the crowd, resulting to chaos, injuries, and several arrests, but protesters still remain adamant in confrontation with police.
A pro government supporter who spoke with Daily Post on condition of anonymity claimed that the protest was not a genuine outcry but a sponsored plot by politicians in Abuja to destabilize the Alia government and force a state of emergency in Benue.
He further stated that the presence of popular social media activist VeryDarkMan in the state is part of a larger plan to embarrass the Gov Alia before President Tinubu.
