The police in Benue State have arrested 14 people in connection with a protest that turned violent in Makurdi over the weekend following renewed killings by suspected armed invaders in parts of the state.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, said the arrests stemmed from a demonstration that took place on Sunday at Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi, the state capital.
Edet said that while the command recognises the right of citizens to protest peacefully, the police remain committed to ensuring that such activities do not threaten public order or result in violence.
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“The Benue State Police Command acknowledges a public demonstration that took place on Sunday, June 15, 2025, when a number of individuals gathered at the Wurukum Roundabout, Makurdi, to express grievances over recent security incidents in the state. While the right to peaceful protest is respected and protected, it is imperative that such expressions remain lawful and non-violent.
“Upon receiving intelligence regarding the protest, tactical teams were immediately deployed to monitor and maintain order. The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, in a display of proactive leadership, visited the protest site alongside the deputy governor of Benue State, Barr. Sam Ode, in an effort to engage with the demonstrators and appeal for calm.
”Unfortunately, the crowd declined to be addressed, and 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.
Tragically, later a separate group of hoodlums reportedly sympathetic to the protest, obstructed a roadway in Apir, on the outskirts of Makurdi. They forcefully stopped a truck, which was subsequently set ablaze with the yet-to-be-identified driver trapped inside.
”The command has so far arrested 14 suspects in connection with these incidents. They will be prosecuted accordingly. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other culprits and instigators behind the violence,” the PPRO stated.
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