Police in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators on Sunday, June 15, protesting a string of deadly attacks that claimed over 100 lives in Yelewata and Daudu communities.
The protest, held at Wurukum roundabout, was sparked by Friday night’s massacre in Guma Local Government Area. The violence occurred just two days after another 25 people were killed in nearby communities in Makurdi LGA.
Dressed in black and carrying fresh leaves, a symbol of mourning, the protesters rallied under the hashtag #StopBenueKillings, calling for immediate government intervention to stop the cycle of bloodshed.
Benue Police Commissioner Emenari Ifeanyi addressed the crowd before security forces dispersed them.
“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,” he said.
“It 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 deserved.”
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He added, “Instead of being in the bush with other security agencies, we are here. If you prolonged your actions here, you’re giving opportunity for the enemies to plan. We have intelligence of their movement and we are blocking them.”
Soon after his address, video footage shared on social media showed protesters being dispersed with tear gas. Some were seen coughing and running in different directions, their faces covered as canisters hissed through the crowd.
“There are security trucks stationed at the Wurukum roundabout in Makurdi, where the #StopBenueKillings protesters are gathered, and a helicopter is hovering over them,” one protester said in a video.
“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.”
As a police helicopter circled overhead, patrol vans were positioned across key locations in the city.
The use of force to disperse grieving citizens demanding protection has drawn criticism online and further spotlighted the state’s deepening security crisis.