Benue Assembly Demands Release Of Protesters Arrested Over Yelewata Killings

The Benue State House of Assembly has called on the police to release 14 people arrested during a protest over the recent killings in Yelewata community.

During its Tuesday sitting, Benue Assembly also appealed to security agencies to step up protection for vulnerable communities across the state.

The protest, which took place on Sunday at the Wurukum food basket roundabout in Makurdi, was sparked by a deadly attack on Yelewata by suspected herdsmen, resulting in several deaths.

Outraged by the violence, youths took to the streets to demand justice.

They were later joined by popular social media activist Martin Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan.

When the Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, showed up to address the crowd, the protesters refused to listen, insisting that only Governor Hyacinth Alia could speak to them directly.

The protest soon turned tense when security operatives arrived and tried to disperse the crowd. Tear gas was fired, and the situation escalated.

During the incident,14 people were arrested by the Benue State Police Command.

Police claimed they were responsible for disrupting what began as a peaceful demonstration.

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