On Sunday, June 15, 2025, a large crowd of protesters in Makurdi, Benue State under the banner of the social media campaign #StopBenueKillings, were tear gassed and dispersed during a demonstration against a series of deadly attacks that have claimed over 100 lives in recent days.
The protest, held at the Wurukum roundabout, was organised in response to the assaults in Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area on Friday night.
The attacks, which left more than 100 people dead, occurred less than 48 hours after 25 others were killed in Mtswenem and other communities in Makurdi LGA.
The demonstrators, mostly young people dressed in black and carrying fresh leaves, were seeking urgent government action to halt the violence in their communities.
The protesters were addressed by Venue State Commissioner of Police, at the roundabout. He appealed for calm and urged the protesters not to interfere with ongoing security operations.
“I was monitoring and at the checking point for more than six hours. Tell your people to calm down, we need the support of the youth and everybody in Benue State,” he said.
“This is a phase and we are passing through it already. We have already cut the head of the snake and we will get the peace that we deserve.
“Instead of being in the bush with other security agencies, we are here. If you prolong your actions here, you’re giving opportunity for the enemies to plan. We have intelligence of their movement, and we are blocking them.”
After his remarks, some police officers fired canisters of tear gas into the crowd to disperse them.
Videos posted online showed demonstrators fleeing in different directions to escape bring choked.
Comments on social media, expressed disappointment in the actions taken by the police to disperse the crowd.
As of Monday morning, the entire area has been taken over by the presence of different police formations, and cleared of protesters.
