By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
Youths of Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, North Central Nigeria, on Tuesday, March 11, kicked off a protest over the killing of some residents of the area by armed herdsmen.
But the protest took a different hue and turned violent, leading to the razing of three significant buildings in the area.
These are the LGA Secretariat; palace of the paramount ruler of the area, the Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse; as well as a hotel linked to a serving senator.
The protest followed the recovery of dead bodies of some youths of the area who were said to be members of the Benue State Protection Guards, killed by herdsmen.
The protesting youths,numbering over 200, first mobilized to the LGA Secretariat setting it ablaze, then headed to the palace of the monarch,which they also burnt down and consequently set fire to the hotel.
An eye witness, who freely identified himself as Victor Ormimi, told peopleandpolitics.net that it was the killing of the three youths that triggered the violence in the area.
Chief Abomtse, while confirming the incident, disclosed that he was out for medical attention and was only returning home when he heard of the destructions in Naka town.
The monarch explained that three vehicles and motorcycles parked in the palace were all destroyed by the protesting youths.
However, Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Joseph Har, while confirming the incident, contended that the three youths killed were not members of the State Protection Guards.
Benue State Police Command spokesperson, Sewuese Catherine Anene, also confirmed the incident, assuring that the Police would ensure that peace was restored to the area.
Reacting to the situation, State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, decried the vicious and ferocious attack and murder of the “three brave members of Civil Protection Guards who were on duty to protect our locals at On-MbaAondo, Tsambe-Mbesev ward of Gwer West Local Government.”
Governor Alia, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Tersoo Kula, stated that the inhuman act, carried out by marauding armed herdsmen, is “once more, a flagrant affront to the peace and security of our communities.”
The governor added: “We appreciate the deep rage and frustration that has led to the anxiety at Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West, including the regrettable burning of the Local Government Secretariat and the palace of Ter Nagi by protesters.
“While we empathize with the sentiments of our people, we advocate restraint and foresight in funneling this anger. Destruction of our own worths simply serves to frustrate the intentions of our government, which is devoted to building up peace and security in the state.
“We request all security organs to intensify their efforts in detecting and capturing the perpetrators of this heinous atrocity. It is essential that these marauding herdsmen are forced to face justice to ensure that they are dealt within the full wrath of the law.”
The governor insisted that the security of the people was paramount, saying his administration would not rest until those culpable for the violence were held liable.
According to the statement, the government was pursuing faithfully to enhance security efforts and protect the communities from further attacks.
“We implore all citizens to stand vigilant and collaborate with security agencies in reporting unusual activities.
“In these trying moments, let us stand banded together against violence and endeavor for peace and justice in Benue State. Together, we can conquer these challenges and establish a healthier environment for all,” he stated.
Meanwhile, tension has gripped Gboko, the second largest city in the state, over cases of human trafficking and missing children.
Sources alleged that a Gboko-based panel beater of Cross River State origin has been trafficking juveniles from Gboko to other parts of the country and, in some instances, out of the country.
It was learnt that the alleged trafficker disappeared last week with reports of many teenagers equally missing in the area within same timeframe, fuelling speculations among residents that the coincidence was uncanny.
Some of the parents of the victims, including Mr. Terfa and the Ephesians, residents of Akaajime, Gboko, said that when they found out that their children had mysteriously disappeared, they launched an accelerated investigation.
In the process, they said, it was discovered that the suspected child trafficker was with their children and had since distributed them to his customers who engaged the victims in hard labour.
The missing children and alleged connection of the panel beater with the matter sparked high tension in Gboko, especially the Akaajime area, as parents of the victims threatened to deal with all indigenes of Cross River origin based in Gboko, if they failed to produce the suspect and the victims within two days from March 10, 2025.
The suspect, according to sources, has been reached through phone calls and promised to unfailingly be in Gboko on Wednesday, March 12, but it was unclear if he would return with the victims.
In the meantime, the fiancee of the suspect who stays in his residence in Akaajime, has been placed under tight security watch by angry youths of the area pending his expected return.
