Breaking: Benue Youths embark on protest over killings, raze LG secretariat, palace, senator’s hotel 

….As three protection guards allegedly murdered 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Angered by the frequent killings of farmers, women and children by armed men suspected to be herdsmen in various  parts of Gwer west local government area of Benue State, youths in the area, on Tuesday  morning embarked on protest and burnt down the Gwer west local government secretariat located in Naka area of the State.

The setting ablaze of the Secretariat came barely a few hours after the news of the murder of three youths who were said to be members of the state protection guards, filtered into the town.

A source in Naka told our correspondent that the youths numbering over 200, invaded the secretariat shortly after they recovered the dead bodies of the three youths and brought them to Naka, heads of the local government area.

The source also said the irate youths equally proceeded to the palace of Ter Nagi, chief Daniel Abomtse and burnt down the palace before moving on to set ablaze a hotel belonging to the senator representing Benue Northwest senatorial district, senator Titus Zam.

Details of the extent of the destruction of the secretariat and the palace are still sketchy as at the time of filing this report.

 However , our source further stated that the fire touched a major part of the secretariat and the palace including the hotel with several items vandalized while others properties were looted.

The executive chairman of  Gwer West local government council, Mr. Victor Omirin confirmed the incident, saying that the irate youths truly burnt down the local government secretariat and the Ter Naka palace.

Mr. Omirin told newsmen on phone that the killing of three members of the protection guards triggered the protest, adding that when dead bodies were brought into Naka town, the youths went wide.

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“Yes, they burned down the secretariat and the Ter Naka palace. Three protection guards were killed in Garuwa so when their bodies were brought to Naka, it sparked protest from the youth and it’s now being taken over by hoodlums”, the chairman stated.

The Ter Naka, chief Daniel Abomtse however, confirmed to newsmen on phone, that he was away for medical check up and just going back to Naka but that , he has been informed that his palace alongside other valuables, including three vehicles and motorcycles that were within the premises of the palace burnt down.

He promised to get back to journalists as soon as he accessed the destruction of his palace.

Meanwhile the Benue State Government through the special adviser on internal security, chief Joseph Har  has confirmed the incident but denied that those protection guards that were killed were not members of the state government security outfit.

“Yes, I called and they told me that the secretariat was burnt. I was also told that after burning the secretariat, they proceeded towards Abomtse’s palace and Zam’s hotel but I haven’t heard the latest.

“The people killed were not members of the protection guards. If they were farmers, hunters or local fighters, I don’t know but they are not our members”, chief Har said.

When contacted the Benue State command police public relations officer PPRO CSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the development, saying that the command is aware of the situation.

“Information has been received about an ongoing protest in Naka and the Commissioner of  Police moved this morning to the area with other tactical teams. Further development will be communicated to you please”, Anene said.