By Divine Sam
Youths in Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State erupted in violence on Tuesday morning, setting fire to both the Local Government Secretariat in Naka and the palace of the Gwer West Traditional Council Chairman, HRH Daniel Abomtse. The unrest followed the alleged killing of three members of the Civil Protection Guards by suspected armed herders on Monday.
According to eyewitnesses, the protest began at 7:00 am when the bodies of the slain security personnel were brought to Naka for burial. The youths, angered by the killings and what they saw as government inaction against attacks by herders, took to the streets. Tensions escalated when hoodlums allegedly hijacked the protest, leading to widespread destruction, including the burning of properties, such as a hotel owned by Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North West in the Senate.
Gwer West LGA Chairman Victor Omirin confirmed that the protest had initially been peaceful but later turned violent. Joseph Har, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, acknowledged the destruction but could not confirm whether the deceased were indeed members of the Civil Protection Guards.
HRH Daniel Abomtse, who was away for medical treatment, confirmed that his palace had been burned down, along with his vehicles and motorcycles. The Benue State Police Command, through spokesperson CSP Catherine Anene, stated that the Commissioner of Police had deployed tactical teams to restore order, and further updates are expected as security forces work to contain the situation.
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