By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
Thousands of angry youths shut down Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi on Sunday in a bold protest against ongoing attacks and killings in Benue State.
Sequel to over 100 people killed in Yelewata community of Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Saturday, the youths are demanding government’s actions to end armed herders attacks in rural environs.
The protesters refusing to back down even after appeals from top government officials like the Deputy Governor of the state, Barrister Sam Ode, lamented the insecurity bedeviling the state.
With placards reading “Stop Benue killings” and “Government has failed us”, the protesters led by voices like Seedoff Mbapuun (aka Benue Pete Edochie) demanded urgent action.
For hours, they blocked the key route linking the North and South, forcing a national conversation on the violence rocking their communities.
The protesters despite pleas from the deputy governor and Police Commissioner Ifeanyi Emenari, and even helicopters hovering overhead stood firm on their demands waving green leaves.
But until VeryDarkMan (Martins Otse), a popular social media activist, arrived and used his influence to calm the crowd, the youths refused to end the protest, not even with the teargas fired by the police.
“We will not surrender to Fulani,” some placards read.
Police Commissioner, Emenari, however appealed for calm, saying the Inspector General of Police had already deployed special squad to the state.
