Benue Killings: Benue Gov booed and stoned by angry Benue residents
The protesters called on the government to bring the perpetrator to justice
Protesting residents booed and stoned Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state, as government drafted troops to quell the massive protest and to prevent mayhem.
The governor had gone to placate the restive youths at Wurukum where the protest was taking place in Makurdi on Wednesday, January 3.
Residents early on Wednesday trooped out in their thousands to protest against the January 2, herdsmen’s attack on farmers in which 20 people were killed.
Benue residents are protesting over Fulani herdsmen killings The protesters are calling on the presidency to bring the culprits to book. The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “Presidential Intervention needed”, “Why value cows to Humans”, and “Stop this incessant blood bath”.
Some of them chanted, “We will not vote for the present administration again both the state and federal level if this crises don’t stop.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the protests involved mostly youths who barricaded major roads leading in and out of Makurdi, the state capital.
The youths have vowed not to leave the streets until the presidency spoke on the killings. They were also asking government to intervene in the series of other attacks on some rural communities by armed herdsmen.
Terhemen Anum, told NAN that residents of Guma and Logo local government areas have yet to determined number of peasant farmers, women, children and the aged inclusive that were killed.
Also, Ruth Agba said the killing of Benue farmers, and destruction to their homes and farms was not different from Boko Haram activities in the northeast.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue told journalists on Tuesday that 20 people were killed in the mayhem. Ortom called on the federal government to wade into the matter so as to avert further destruction of lives and property.
NAN