HUNDREDS of youths in Benue State, yesterday, took to the streets to protest the continuous attacks, killings, and displacement of indigeneous people in the state.
The protest followed the killing of scores at Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area on Friday night.
The protesters, who converged at the Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi, called on the Federal Government to live up to its responsibilities, which is to protect all the citizens within its sovereignty.
They also urged security agencies to redouble their efforts to ensure that all displaced people return to their ancestral homes and continue with their normal lives.
Speaking to newsmen, Mr Brahms Ikuan said the state was under siege for a long time and there were not sufficient efforts for the government to address the menace.
Ikuan regretted that even when they had useful information about the movement of the attackers and reports to authorities, nothing was still done to avert the attacks.
He further accused the authorities of maintaining a conspiratorial silence on the ongoing genocide, adding that Benue might cease to exist if urgent steps were not taken to end the killings.
“We cried, sent messages and opened letters, but nobody listened to us. Nobody came to our aid. At this moment we are not sure if there will be any place called Benue tomorrow.
“Despite the attacks and killings in Yelwata yesterday, up till now, no word from the government or any prominent person. They have abandoned us.
“We want the world to know that Benue is being wiped out on the face of the earth and nobody cares about what is happening,” he said.
Also, Mr Gideon Inyom accused the government of giving the herders unfettered access into the Benue communities by relaxing the state anti-open grazing law.
Inyom said all they wanted was security of lives and property, adding that such was the primary responsibility of every government worldwide.
However, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Emenari Ifeanyi, told newsmen at the scene that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Kayode Egbetokun has taken over the security of the state.
Ifeanyi said that the IGP has already deployed special forces to end the attacks and killings.
The CP added that security agencies were on top of the situation and urged the youths and Benue people to give the new forces a chance.
