Irate protesters mostly from Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State have flooded the streets on Tuesday 16th of April barricading the Makurdi-Naka road to express their pains over the incessant killings across the state.
Recall that about 26 persons in three communities were reportedly killed in the council area by bandits suspected to be herdsmen.
The Local Government Area Chairman, Henry Agba, told newsmen that the attack which began on Saturday lasted till Monday resulting to the death of 26 people including six personnel of Benue State Community Volunteer Guards and Livestock Guards.
The residents who came out en masse to express their grievances, accused the Benue state government of not implementing the Anti-Open Grazing Law.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, on March 6, 2024, announced the full enforcement of the anti-open grazing law after the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum given to armed herders and those grazing openly in the state to vacate.
The protesters who carried several placards with different inscriptions, appealed to the Federal and State Governments to protect the people against armed herders.
One of the protesters, a former local government chairman of Gwer West, Francis Ayagah, called on the federal government to ensure the security of lives and property across the state.
“The renewed insecurity in the area was a result of the failure of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to enforce the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of Benue State, which allows herders to move freely with their cows and arms, which are used to attack the people.” He added.
Another prostester, identified as Titus Numzua, who hails from Seghev/Yegev council ward where all three attacks occurred, revealed that the influx of herdsmen in the area had complicated the security situation of many communities in Gwer West.
He also pleaded with the federal government to ensure the safety of the people and asked the governor to provide logistic support to security agencies, the Benue State Livestock Guards, and the Community Volunteer Guards to complement the conventional security agents to ensure peace returns to Gwer West.
While sympathizing with the victims, the Senator representing Benue North West Senatorial District, Dr. Titus Zam, condemned the coordinated attacks on some of his constituents which led to the lost of many lives.
On his part, member representing Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency, Arc. Dr. Asema Achado equally condemned the gruesome murder of his constituents and called on the Benue State Government to enforce the law prohibiting open grazing and also ensure the perpetrators of the dastardly act are brought to book.
