Tension in Benue as herdsmen graze farmlands, youths intercept bus
Yelwata IDPs protest hunger, neglect, alleged diversion of relief materials
Despite President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Benue State on Wednesday, aimed at addressing the aftermath of the massacre at Yelwata, which claimed about 200 lives, tension remains high across the state.
While the President was in Benue, reports emerged of herdsmen actively grazing cattle on farmlands in parts of the state, further heightening anxiety.
In Uvir Ward of Guma Local Council, farmers reported an influx of cattle accompanied by Fulani herdsmen between Wednesday and yesterday. An eyewitness, Samuel Jootar, told The Guardian that the herders led thousands of cattle through farmlands in Tse-Orvihi and Antsa villages. Another farmer, Selumun, described the sudden presence of herders as alarming, with residents fleeing their homes out of fear of potential attacks.
“These herders just appeared with thousands of cattle, moving freely across our farmlands. People are afraid. We’ve not provoked anyone, but our farmers are already abandoning their homes and crops,” Selumun said.
With memories of the Yelwata massacre still fresh, the development has sparked fears of renewed violence in Guma and other parts of the state. Adding to the tense atmosphere was the arrest of a busload of Fulani men carrying an undisclosed consignment in Lessel, Ushongo Local Council.
On Wednesday night, local youths intercepted the group but were unable to verify the contents of the bus as the police intervened, whisking the suspects and the vehicle to the police station.
According to reports, the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Abubakar Abba, transferred the suspects to the police headquarters in Makurdi, leaving the bus with its contents at the station. Efforts by the youths to uncover the goods in the vehicle were met with resistance, with both the suspects and the police refusing to reveal the contents.
Bemgba Iortyom, former state publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed concern over the incident, noting that it coincided with an earlier audio warning of a potential attack by suspected herdsmen in the area.
Ushongo Local Council Chairman, Terkimbi Adzu, who was returning from President Tinubu’s visit to Benue, confirmed the situation, stating that the suspects had been handed over to the Special Investigative Bureau (SIB) of the Benue State Police Command. However, as of the time of filing this report, the contents of the bus remained undisclosed.
Also, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the Yelwata crisis took to the streets of Makurdi yesterday, protesting worsening conditions at their camp and accusing officials of neglect and diversion of relief materials meant for their survival.
The aggrieved IDPs blocked the busy road near the Makurdi International Market, causing significant traffic gridlock as they demanded urgent government intervention and accountability from relief agencies.
The protesters claimed that at least two people had recently died in the camp due to starvation and the deteriorating health environment. Some alleged that food items and mattresses, including those reportedly donated by the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche, failed to reach them.
“There’s no food, our children are starving, we sleep on the floor, and mosquitoes are almost killing us,” a female protester stated while holding a placard. “We are suffering, and people are dying.”
The protesters accused camp officials of hoarding and possibly diverting donated materials. They called on the Benue State Government and humanitarian agencies to investigate the allegations and ensure transparent distribution of aid.
As of press time, government officials had yet to issue a formal statement regarding the protest or the allegations.
(The Guardian)
