Security forces in Makurdi, the capital of Nigeria’s Benue State, used tear gas on Sunday to disperse a protest against a string of deadly attacks that have rocked local communities and left over 100 people dead in just a few days.
The protest, organized under the hashtag #StopBenueKillings, drew large numbers of mostly young demonstrators dressed in black and holding green leaves — a traditional symbol of mourning and peace. It took place at the busy Wurukum roundabout and was sparked by coordinated assaults in Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area on Friday night. These attacks came on the heels of another violent episode less than 48 hours earlier, which left 25 people dead in the Mtswenem and Akondotyough Bawa areas of Makurdi Local Government Area.
Anger and frustration have been mounting across Benue State, which has seen recurring violence in recent years. Demonstrators demanded swift and decisive action from the government to put an end to the bloodshed and protect vulnerable communities. The protest soon drew the attention of law enforcement, with police arriving in significant numbers to monitor the gathering.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, Emenari Ifeanyi, addressed the crowd in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Speaking at the roundabout, he appealed for calm and urged demonstrators to avoid disrupting security operations currently underway in affected regions.
“I have been out monitoring the situation for over six hours,” Ifeanyi told the protesters. “We need the cooperation of young people and the entire community in this critical period. The security agencies are doing everything they can. We have already neutralized key threats, and we are working to restore peace.”
He warned that continued protests could distract security forces from their efforts and give attackers an opportunity to regroup. “We have intelligence about the movement of the perpetrators, and we are taking action to block them. But if you remain here, it could allow them to reorganize elsewhere,” he said.
However, moments after his address, police began firing tear gas canisters into the crowd. Videos widely shared on social media showed chaotic scenes as protesters fled in all directions, choking and shielding their faces from the gas. A police helicopter hovered overhead, adding to the tense atmosphere, while heavily armed patrol vehicles were positioned at key locations around the protest site.
One protester captured in a video criticized the heavy-handed response. “Police vans and a helicopter are surrounding us at Wurukum roundabout. If this same energy was used to protect people from being killed, we wouldn’t need to protest,” the protester said. “Now, like always, they’ve responded by tear-gassing peaceful citizens.”
By Sunday afternoon, the protest had been forcibly cleared, and no demonstrators remained at the site. However, a strong and visible security presence continued to patrol the area.
The recent wave of killings has intensified public outcry and renewed demands for accountability and effective protection from authorities. As communities in Benue continue to grieve, calls for justice and lasting peace remain urgent.