Protest erupts in Benue as herders kill three persons

….. Corpses dump at residence of Assembly member

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Hundred  of youths from Tse Orjime and Agan communities in Mbalagh council ward in Makurdi Local Government Area of  Benue State  on Friday staged a protest against the spate of insecurity in the area.

It was gathered that the protest was triggered by the killing of three members of the communities by suspected herdsmen, on Thursday evening.

It would be recalled that youths in Naka, headquarters of Gwerwest local government area  had in March protested the alleged killing of several people by suspected herdsmen where several houses including the palace of Ter Naggi and residential building belonging to the senator representing Benue northeast,was burnt.

That incident was recorded barely two  after no fewer than 42 person were reportedly killed by the herders in four communities of Aondona, Orbiam, Tyolaha and Ahumbe.

Friday’s protest against fresh killings saw the aggrieved youths block the  Agan tollgate , a few meters away from  the 72 military base in Makurdi , causing traffic logjams for several hours.

Bearing the corpses of the victims, the protesters said they are taking the corpses to the house of member representing Makurdi north at the Benue State House of Assembly, Afraid Berger.

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One of the protesters, who simply identified himself as Terfa, said they staged the protest for the government to know the level of insecurity in communities in Makurdi NorthBank  and the need for proactiveness.

He said, “We are protesting not only because the Fulani herdsmen have killed our men today but to let the government know what we are facing in serious in terms of insecurity.

“These three that were killed yesterday (Thursday) were going to their farms when they were shot by these herdsmen. Whenever they kill, they would run to Nasarawa State State. We want Governor Hyacinth Alia to do something about our security in Benue. This is getting too much.”

The member representing Makurdi North Afraid Berger confirmed the attack  to Newsmen on Friday.

He  said that  youths in the area brought the corpses and dumped in his house and attempted to set his  house ablaze.

The State Command also confirmed the attack and attempt by youths to burn down the lawmaker’s house.

The  state command police public relations officer CSP, Catherine Anene in a statement issued on Friday and made available to journalists in Makurdi said that officers of the command responded swiftly to distress call and chased the attackers.

The statement read, “On 29/05/2025 at about 1800hrs, information was received about an attack at Tse Orjime, Mbalagh council ward, Makurdi.  

“Police teams  within the area responded immediately and started chasing the attackers  into the bush. Simultaneously, youths of the area mobilized themselves and were attempting to burn down Alfred Bergers’ house; a State House of Assembly  member representing the area. They were also resisted by the police. 

“At the end of the operation, three (3) corpses earlier shot by the attackers  were recovered and taken to General Hospital, Northbank while investigation is ongoing.”