Chaos in Benue as protesters burn council secretariat, palace over guard killings

Tensions have escalated in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State following the killing of three community guards by suspected bandits.

Enraged protesters set fire to the council secretariat and the palace of the traditional ruler of Naka, Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse.

According to reports, the unrest intensified on Tuesday morning after local youths retrieved the bodies of the slain guards, who were attacked on Monday evening, and brought them to the local government headquarters.

Amid the chaos, a hotel allegedly owned by Senator Titus Zam was also torched by the demonstrators.

“The youths are angry because the bandits are killing our people and the state government appears not to be doing anything. Since the corpses of the guards arrived this morning, protesters have burnt the council secretariat, Ter Nagi’s palace and a hotel belonging to Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North West at the national assembly,” a resident who preferred anonymity said.

Victor Ormin, the Chairman of Gwer West LGA told our correspondent on the phone on Tuesday morning that the protest started by youths in the area over the killing of three Benue Civil Protection Guards was hijacked by hoodlums who set the council secretariat and the palace of Ter Naka on fire.

“Yes, they have burned the secretariat and the Ter Naka’s palace. Three protection guards were killed in Garuwa (council ward in Gwer West) by armed invaders so when their bodies were brought to Naka, it sparked protest from the youth and it’s now being taken over by hoodlums,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Catherine Anene, had yet to respond to calls to her telephone by our correspondent.