Hundreds of youths in Benue State took to the streets on Sunday to protest the persistent attacks, killings, and displacement of residents across the state.
The demonstration followed the killing of several people in the Yelwata community of Guma Local Government Area on Friday night.
The protesters, who gathered at the Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi, called on the Federal Government to fulfil its constitutional duty of safeguarding all citizens under its jurisdiction.
They also appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure the safe return of displaced persons to their ancestral homes, so they could resume their normal lives.
Speaking to journalists, Mr Brahms Ikuan lamented that the state had long been under siege, with insufficient government intervention to curb the crisis.
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He expressed frustration that even when residents shared credible intelligence about the movement of attackers, little to no action was taken by the authorities to prevent the assaults.
He further accused the government of maintaining a “conspiratorial silence” over what he described as ongoing genocide in the state, warning that Benue risked being wiped out if urgent steps were not taken to end the violence.
“We have cried out, sent messages, and written letters, but no one listened. No one came to our aid. At this point, we are unsure if Benue will still exist tomorrow.
“Despite the attack and killings in Yelwata yesterday, there has been no official response from the government or any prominent figure. We have been abandoned.
“We want the world to know that Benue is being erased from the map, and nobody seems to care,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Gideon Inyom accused the government of enabling herders to infiltrate Benue communities by relaxing enforcement of the state’s anti-open grazing law.
He stressed that all they were asking for was the security of lives and property, which he said is the primary responsibility of any government.
In response, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Mr Emenari Ifeanyi, told reporters at the protest scene that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, had taken charge of security operations in the state.
He said the IGP had deployed special forces to contain the violence and restore peace.
Mr Ifeanyi assured residents that security agencies were fully in control of the situation and urged the youths and people of Benue to allow the newly deployed forces to carry out their duties effectively.
“What happened in Yelwata yesterday is a reaction to our ongoing operations. We have taken control of Apa and Gwer West and are making significant progress in Agatu.
“These criminals are merely trying to prove they are still in charge but they are not, and they never will be.
“We are more pained than you are. We are here to protect lives and property. Tactical teams were already in Yelwata bush before the attack occurred.
“Give the special forces the space to operate. Prolonging your protest here only gives the enemies more time to regroup.
“We have intelligence on their movements, and we are taking action. You will see the results soon,” he assured.
The Police Commissioner also disclosed that Governor Hyacinth Alia had provided full logistical support to facilitate the peace-restoration efforts.
 Military helicopter was seen hovering above Wurukum Roundabout as the protest against herdsmen attacks intensified.
