Hundreds of youths in Benue State yesterday, Monday, June 16, blocked major roads to protest the continuous attacks, killings, and displacement of people in the state by armed herders.
Recall that rampaging herdsmen killed no fewer than 200 men, women, children, and internally displaced persons in Yeluwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday, June 14.
In response, President Bola Tinubu ordered security chiefs to apprehend the perpetrators of the bloodletting in Benue State, describing the killings as inhuman and anti-progress.
The angry youths, numbering in the thousands, took over the popular Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi and called on the Federal Government to fulfill its responsibility of protecting all citizens.
They urged security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure that all displaced persons can return to their ancestral homes and resume normal lives. The youths rejected an attempt by the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Sam Ode, to address them.
It took the intervention of Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who convinced the angry youths to end their protest after they had taken over the Wurukum Roundabout on Monday.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State condemned the latest attack, stating that nothing should justify the taking of lives.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emenari Ifeanyi, said the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has taken over the security operations in the state.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, blamed the killings on government failure, describing the tragedy as a stain on Nigeria’s collective conscience.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called on all Nigerians, regardless of tribe or religion, to unite in condemning the atrocity. He emphasized, “We must hold our leaders accountable and insist on sustainable solutions to the violent tragedies claiming lives across the country.”
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) raised alarms over the ongoing killings in Benue State, warning that unchecked violence could spark ethnic conflict nationwide. The group also called for the dismissal of security chiefs for failing to protect the people.
Pope Leo XIV led prayers for the victims of the massacre in Benue State.
Tensions also remain high in Kadarko and other Tiv communities bordering Benue, as residents fear further violence following the killing of over 200 people in Yeluwata.
In a statement released Monday, June 16, President Tinubu’s spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said: “The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough.
“I have directed security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators on all sides, and prosecute them. Political and community leaders in Benue must act responsibly to avoid inflammatory utterances that could worsen tensions and killings.
“This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead dialogue and reconciliation efforts that will bring peace to Benue. Our people must live in peace, and this is possible when leaders work together in harmony and address differences with fairness, openness, and justice.”
Details of the protest and government response
The thousands of protesters began gathering as early as 7 a.m. at the Wurukum Roundabout near the Makurdi Bridge, singing solidarity songs as they marched. Despite pleas from the Benue State Police Commissioner, Ifeanyi Emenari, and Deputy Governor Sam Ode to vacate the roundabout, the youths held their ground, blocking traffic.
Even low-flying helicopters hovering above did not deter the protesters, who carried tree branches and placards reading “Stop Benue killings,” “Government has failed us,” and “We will not surrender to Fulani,” among others.
Seedoff Mbapu, a youth leader and social media influencer, lamented the government’s inaction: “These attacks have been going on for years; no one is safe anymore, and Yeluwata is not far from Makurdi. People are killed every day in Benue, yet the world remains unaware. We have had enough—that is why we came out to let the world know.”
Brahms Ikuan told newsmen, “We cried, sent messages and open letters, but nobody listened. Nobody came to our aid. Right now, we’re not sure if there will even be a Benue tomorrow.
“Despite the attacks in Yeluwata on Saturday, there has been no official response. We have been abandoned. Benue is being wiped out, and nobody cares.”
Gideon Inyom accused the government of giving herders unfettered access into Benue by relaxing the state’s anti-open grazing law. “All we want is security of lives and property—that is the primary responsibility of any government worldwide.”
When Deputy Governor Sam Ode arrived to address the youths, they rejected him and demanded the governor come instead. As the deputy governor left, some police fired teargas canisters to disperse the crowd, but the youths remained defiant. They took over New Otukpo Road, setting bonfires that stretched to the Abu King Shuluwa Road junction.
The standoff lasted about five hours until VeryDarkMan (VDM) arrived from the Konshisha Street axis and met with them. His presence was met with jubilation.
Speaking by the UBA junction, VDM urged the youths to open the barricaded roads to allow traffic flow and to put out the fires. He said, “The era of violent protests is over. I have seen terrible things—children burnt to ashes, homes destroyed in Yeluwata—and we still have a government.”
He cautioned that blocking roads and setting bonfires gave police reason to use teargas. “If you protest peacefully, without fighting or blocking roads, the government will have to listen.”
The youths agreed and began clearing the roads. They accompanied VDM to the Wurukum Roundabout amid further teargas use by police. There, he appealed for an organized protest with police permission to avoid violence.
The protesters agreed to disperse, singing solidarity songs and hailing VDM for his intervention despite the tense atmosphere.
Government and leadership responses
Governor Alia, represented by Deputy Governor Ode during a visit to the attack site on Monday, said: “Governor Alia shares your grief and pain caused by the attacks by suspected armed herdsmen.
“The state government is engaging with federal security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders to strengthen security and find lasting solutions to these attacks.
“Joint operations units are being strengthened, and the government remains committed to protecting lives and property.
“We call on religious, traditional, and political leaders to guide youths against unlawful gatherings that could escalate tensions.”
Commissioner of Police Emenari Ifeanyi told reporters that the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, has taken over the security of the state, deploying special forces to end the attacks.
He said, “What happened in Yeluwata is a reaction because we have taken over other areas. The attackers want to show they are in control, but they are not. We are here to protect lives and property. Tactical teams were even in the bush before the attack.
“Give the special forces room to work. Prolonged protests give enemies time to plan. We have intelligence and are blocking their movements.”
Reactions from political figures and groups
Peter Obi wrote on X on Monday: “My heart is heavy over the horrific killings in Benue—over 200 lives lost, homes burnt, families shattered. This is not just violence; it’s a failure of leadership and a stain on our conscience.
“We cannot accept normalization of mass killing. Protecting lives is government’s primary duty. To the people of Benue: your pain is our pain. Justice must come.”
Atiku Abubakar stated on X: “I am anguished by the attacks in Benue with over 100 feared dead. This highlights Nigeria’s worsening insecurity crisis.
“I urge transparent investigation, swift justice, increased security deployment, and engagement with affected communities.
“We must unite to condemn this atrocity and hold leaders accountable for sustainable solutions.”
HURIWA’s National Coordinator Emmanuel Onwubiko criticized the retention of security chiefs and the NSA despite failure to prevent mass killings. “Families including women and toddlers were slaughtered and burnt alive,” he said.
Other responses and situation updates
Pope Leo XIV prayed for the victims, saying around 200 people were brutally killed in Yeluwata on the night of June 13–14, many of whom were internally displaced persons sheltered by the local Catholic mission.
Amnesty International Nigeria called on authorities to immediately end the near-daily bloodshed and bring perpetrators to justice.
Tensions remain high in Kadarko and neighboring Tiv communities in Nasarawa State bordering Benue. Residents have fled their homes in fear of escalating attacks.
One Tiv farmer said, “The gunfire sounded like war, forcing us to flee. We don’t understand why Fulanis have resolved to this unending killing, even targeting women and children.”
He questioned whether the government can no longer provide security or has allied with the herdsmen against farmers.
