Benue State, Nigeria, has been plunged into further turmoil following a brutal wave of attacks by suspected terrorists, described by some as Fulani militia, leading to widespread protests and a subsequent police crackdown. The escalating insecurity culminated in the tragic killing of over 100 people during an invasion of Yelwata town in Guma Local Government Area on a Friday night. Reports indicated that the assailants specifically targeted the town's market square, where numerous internally displaced persons (IDPs) had sought refuge, opening fire and macheting many victims, while also razing properties worth millions of Naira.

The horrific incident ignited a series of public demonstrations. Residents of Yelwata initially protested the killings on Saturday evening, blocking the Lafia-Makurdi highway. The discontent quickly spread to Makurdi, the state capital, where on Sunday morning, large crowds of protesters, predominantly clad in black, waved leaves and chanted "No violence," while displaying placards bearing various inscriptions. The demonstration, widely publicized under the hashtag #StopBenueKillings, drew considerable attention and a significant security presence.

In response to the growing unrest, police operatives in Makurdi resorted to using tear gas to disperse the demonstrators. Linus Egwu, a local journalist, confirmed the police action, stating that tear gas was fired to scatter the crowds. The Benue police command spokesperson, Udeme Edet, initially claimed unawareness of the protest but promised to investigate. Emenari Ifeanyi, the Commissioner of Police in Benue, later addressed the protesters at Wurukum roundabout, appealing for calm and assuring them of ongoing efforts to apprehend the attackers. He advised against prolonged protests, suggesting they could impede security operations, stating, "We have already cut the head of the snake and we will get the peace that we deserved." Videos circulating on social media subsequently showed protesters fleeing as tear gas canisters hissed and a police helicopter hovered overhead, accompanied by patrol vans stationed strategically.

These latest attacks underscore a persistent security crisis in Benue, occurring barely two weeks after the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede, visited the state with top military officers specifically to address the violence. During his visit, Mr. Oluyede held a closed-door meeting with Governor Hyacinth Alia and toured affected communities. Governor Alia later confirmed that the federal government had begun deploying tactical security teams to the state. He further assured citizens that more tactical teams were arriving, with additional security deployments being arranged for vulnerable areas, in an effort to curb the incessant attacks on communities.