Benue Massacre: Protesters Tried To Attack Deputy Gov – Police On Using Teargas

By DELE ALABI 

Benue State Police Command has accused youths, who staged a protest in Makurdi on Sunday following the deadly attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen, of attempting to attack the deputy governor of the State, Barr. John Ode.

Reports that hundreds of Benue youths staged a protest in Makurdi to draw global attention to the incessant and deadly attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen across the state.

The protest was triggered by the recent attack in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area of the state where nearly 250 people were killed.

However, some police officers were seen at the protest site firing teargas to disperse the angry protesters, who converged at the Wurkum roundabout.

Reacting to the matter, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Udeme Edet explained that the deputy governor visited the protest site to address the youth but “unfortunately, the crowd declined to be addressed”.

In a statement on Monday, the PPRO said “the protest was soon hijacked by disruptive elements who attempted to attack the Deputy Governor.

“Police officers swiftly intervened using non-lethal crowd control measures, including smoke and water cannons, to prevent harm and safely evacuate the Deputy Governor from the scene.

“No casualties or injuries were recorded during this operation”.