During plenary on Tuesday, the House also called for the protection of vulnerable communities in Benue State.
The Benue State House of Assembly has demanded the release of 14 protesters arrested by the police on Sunday.
The arrested protesters were said to be protesting the killings in Yelewata where over 100 persons lost their lives with many missing.
During plenary on Tuesday, the House also called for the protection of vulnerable communities in Benue State.
Two days ago, SaharaReporters reported that human rights activist and Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the Federal Capital Territory, Agena Robert Ande, condemned the violent dispersal of peaceful protesters in Makurdi, Benue State, describing the incident as “state-sponsored brutality” and a reflection of “utter incompetence and disregard for human life” by Governor Hyacinth Alia.
In a statement released on Sunday, Ande said the protesters had gathered peacefully to demand an end to killings in the state, but were met with “unbridled violence, including the use of armoured vehicles, helicopters, and teargas.”
He had described the response by security forces as “a damning indictment of the government’s callous disregard for human life,” and criticised Governor Alia for ordering the crackdown rather than engaging with the demonstrators.
Previously, SaharaReporters reported that the residents of Agatu local government area of Benue State have expressed outrage over the arrest and detention of their leaders by the Nigerian military, despite the ongoing killings and attacks by Fulani herdsmen in their communities.
The recent attacks by Fulani herdsmen have left several communities in Agatu LGA in shock and despair.
The residents have been demanding action from the government to protect their lives and properties, but the attacks continue unabated.
Protesting the continued detention of their leaders on Wednesday, spokesperson of the concerned citizens of Agatu, Leonard Apia, said their leaders were arrested on April 28, 2025, in the middle of the night without any trace for standing up for their communities.
“Those arrested are Mr Abu Idakwo, arrested from Oleginaigwu community, and Mr Echoda Ajene, the Youth leader of Ogbangede community,” Apia said.
There has been outrage over the consistent killings in Benue State with President Bola Tinubu scheduled to visit on Wednesday after condemnations on his refusal to visit the state.
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