Governor stoned during violent protest in Benue

Samuel Ortom, governor of Benue state, was stoned while trying to calm protesters at Wurukum in Makurdi, capital of the state, on Wednesday.

The protesters, who were aggrieved as a result of the fresh killings by suspected herdsmen, also booed Ortom, who had earlier raised the alarm over the attack.

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.

Residents trooped out in their thousands on Wednesday morning.

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

They barricaded major roads leading in and out of Makurdi.

Terhemen Anum, one of the protesters, told NAN that residents of Guma and Logo local government areas did not have the exact figure of the number of peasant farmers, women, children and the aged who were killed.

Ruth Agba, another protester, said the killing of Benue farmers and destruction to their homes and farms was not different from Boko Haram activities in the north-east.

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.