Benue State Police Command has accused youths, who staged a protest in Makurdi on Sunday following the deadly attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen, of attempting to attack the deputy governor of the State, Barr. John Ode.

Ekwutosblog reports that hundreds of Benue youths staged a protest in Makurdi to draw global attention to the incessant and deadly attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen across the state.

The protest was triggered by the recent attack in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area of the state where nearly 250 people were killed.

However, some police officers were seen at the protest site firing teargas to disperse the angry protesters, who converged at the Wurkum roundabout.

Reacting to the matter, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Udeme Edet explained that the deputy governor visited the protest site to address the youth but “unfortunately, the crowd declined to be addressed”.

In a statement on Monday, the PPRO said “the protest was soon hijacked by disruptive elements who attempted to attack the Deputy Governor.

“Police officers swiftly intervened using non-lethal crowd control measures, including smoke and water cannons, to prevent harm and safely evacuate the Deputy Governor from the scene.

“No casualties or injuries were recorded during this operation”.

President Bola Tinubu has directed security chiefs to implement his earlier directive to bring lasting peace and security to Benue State.

President Tinubu renewed his order in the wake of the latest round of reprisal attacks that led to the death of many people.

On the president’s directive, intelligence chiefs, the police and the military have arrived in the state to direct security operations and restore sanity.

President Tinubu has equally charged the governor of Benue State with convening reconciliation meetings and dialogue among the warring parties to end the incessant bloodshed and bring lasting peace and harmonious coexistence between farmers, herders, and communities.

Describing the killings and bloodletting as inhuman and anti-progress, President Tinubu called on political leaders and community leaders in conflict areas to stop fuelling the crisis through unguarded utterances and statements that could further inflame tensions.

They should also rein in those who go out to cause provocations and ignite reprisal attacks.

“The latest news of wanton killings in Benue State is very depressing. We must not allow this bloodletting to continue unabated. Enough is now enough.

“I have directed the security agencies to act decisively and arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict and prosecute them.

“Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.

“This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue. Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness and justice.”

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
June 15, 2025

A fatal traffic collision over the weekend at Origan, Oko-Afo, along the Badagry Expressway, resulted in the death of a commercial tricycle operator.

The incident occurred following a head-on collision with a Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC SUV allegedly driving against the flow of traffic.

The SUV, bearing the customized number plate ‘OSUNFNKE’, reportedly violated the one-way traffic directive while heading from Ile-Epo toward Oko-Afo and collided with the commercial tricycle, which had registration number MUS 716 QM.

Preliminary findings by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, confirmed that the SUV was driving on the wrong side of the road.

The collision caused severe injuries to the tricycle operator, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

LASTMA personnel arrived promptly to manage the situation and ease vehicular movement around the area.

The case has since been transferred to the Morogbo Division of the Nigeria Police Force for a detailed investigation.

Officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, also responded and evacuated the deceased to the General Hospital morgue in Badagry.

Both vehicles involved have been impounded and are currently in police custody pending forensic examination and possible prosecution.

LASTMA General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condemned the incident, stating that the driver’s actions constituted “a blatant affront to public safety and a gross violation of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.”

“This lamentable loss of life is an unfortunate testament to the deadly ramifications of impunity on our roads,” he said.

He also said, “It is profoundly disheartening that, despite persistent enlightenment campaigns and rigorous enforcement efforts, some motorists continue to show reckless disregard for traffic regulations.”

Bakare-Oki urged road users to comply with traffic laws, emphasizing that such tragedies are preventable when motorists act responsibly.

He extended his condolences to the family of the deceased and called on drivers to prioritize the sanctity of human life.

LASTMA also reiterated its warning to motorists against dangerous practices, particularly one-way violations, stressing that it would continue to impose strict penalties on erring drivers.