Benue killings: Police use tear gas to disperse protesters demanding action
Benue killings continue to draw attention globally. Photo credit: Vanguard newspaper.
Security forces in Benue State on Sunday used tear gas to disperse peaceful demonstrators gathered in Makurdi, the state capital, to protest the latest wave of brutal attacks that have claimed over 100 lives in just a few days.
The protest, held at the Wurukum roundabout, was sparked by coordinated assaults in Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area on Friday night. These tragic incidents followed closely after the killing of 25 people in Mtswenem and Akondotyough Bawa communities in Makurdi LGA, bringing the death toll in less than 72 hours to over 125.
Organised under the social media campaign #StopBenueKillings, the protest drew hundreds of mainly young people dressed in black and waving fresh leaves—a symbol of peace and mourning. Their message was clear: the killings must stop, and the government must take urgent action to protect lives in Benue.
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As the crowd grew, the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Emenari Ifeanyi, addressed the demonstrators. He appealed for calm and reassured them that the security agencies were actively working to contain the violence. “We have already cut the head of the snake and we will get the peace we deserve,” he said. “We are monitoring intelligence and blocking their movement. We need the support of the youth and everybody in Benue State.”
However, shortly after his address, police officers fired tear gas into the crowd, causing panic and forcing protesters to flee in different directions. Video clips shared on social media showed people coughing, covering their faces, and fleeing as plumes of smoke filled the air. A police helicopter was seen hovering overhead, while several patrol vans were stationed across the protest site.
A protester captured on video expressed frustration at the security response. “There are security trucks stationed at the Wurukum roundabout in Makurdi, where the #StopBenueKillings protesters are gathered, and a helicopter is hovering over them. If this energy were directed toward securing lives in the state, residents wouldn’t be protesting,” he said.
By Sunday afternoon, the demonstration had been completely dispersed, though a heavy security presence remained in the area. The protest and its forceful suppression have reignited conversations about the state’s worsening insecurity and the government’s perceived inability to prevent mass killings.
Observers and rights groups have continued to call for a more humane approach to crowd control and have urged the government to focus more on protecting lives rather than silencing voices demanding justice. For many in Benue, the message remains unchanged: enough is enough.