Police in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, used tear gas on Sunday to disperse a protest against recent deadly attacks that have claimed over 100 lives.
The demonstration, held at Wurukum roundabout, was organized in response to coordinated assaults on Friday night in Yelewata and Daudu communities within Guma Local Government Area.
These attacks, which resulted in more than 100 fatalities, occurred less than 48 hours after 25 people were killed in Mtswenem and Akondotyough Bawa communities in Makurdi LGA.
Protesters, primarily young people dressed in black and carrying fresh leaves, gathered under the banner of the social media campaign #StopBenueKillings, demanding urgent government action to halt the violence.
The protest drew a large crowd, attracting the attention of security forces.
Benue Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, addressed the demonstrators, appealing for calm and urging them not to interfere with ongoing security operations.
He stated, “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. This is 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 deserve. Instead of being in the bush with other security agencies, we are here. If you prolong your actions here, you’re giving opportunity for the enemies to plan. We have intelligence of their movement, and we are blocking them.”
Shortly after his remarks, police fired tear gas canisters into the crowd.
Online videos showed demonstrators scattering, coughing, and shielding their faces amidst the smoke.
A police helicopter hovered overhead, and patrol vans were strategically positioned across the area.
One protester recorded a video lamenting, “There are security trucks stationed at the Wurukum roundabout in Makurdi, where the #StopBenueKillings protesters are gathered, and a helicopter is hovering over them. 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.”
By Sunday afternoon, the area had been cleared of demonstrators, but a heavy security presence remained.
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