Benue killings: Youths attack governor, tell Buhari to resign

Benue youths in their hundreds who trooped out to protest the killings of some villagers by Fulani herdsmen attacked the state governor, Samuel Ortom who had tried to placate the angry youths.

The youths who converged at the popular Food Basket Roundabout in Wurukum, Makurdi, the state capital, National Daily gathered threw stones at the governor while trying to calm them.

The governor had gone to placate the restive youth who vowed to remain on the streets until a decisive action is taken against the attackers.

The soldiers drafted to quell the protest and prevent mayhem are finding it difficult to control the crowd.

Wielding placards with inscriptions such as ‘Presidential Intervention needed’, ‘Why value cows more than Humans’, ‘Stop this incessant bloodbath’, they chanted anti-government songs.

The aggrieved youths who wield posters also called are on President Muhammadu Buhari to “act now or resign,’ barricaded major roads leading in and out of Makurdi.

The protest has led to a heavy gridlock in the area, causing traffic obstruction for motorists travelling through the axis to the north and southern regions of the country.

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Recall that the State Governor, Samuel Ortom had confirmed that at least 20 people were killed after suspected Fulani herdsmen attacked communities in Guma and Logo local government areas of the state between Monday and Tuesday, last week.

Meanwhile, the police have confirmed the arrest of eight herdsmen in connection with the attacks.

Moses Yamu, police public relations officer in the state, said the command had made additional deployments in the troubled area to forestall further occurrence and restore confidence of the people.