Benue State House of Assembly has attributed the widespread killings in the country to the security agencies’ half-hearted approach to the issue and urged the people of the state to remain vigilant and defend themselves within the ambit of the law, to safeguard their lives and property.

It also requested Governor Hyacinth Alia to declare three days of mourning in honour of victims of the Yelwata massacre and activation of the anti-open grazing law in the state.

This followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Guma 1 State Constituency, Terwase Uche, during plenary yesterday. Uche officially informed the House of the wanton destruction of property by armed herders in Yelwata, Guma Local Council.

MEANWHILE, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Benue have lent their voices in condemnation of the massacre in Yelwata and called for justice.

Also, the Senior Pastor, Harvesters International Christian Centre (HICC), Bolaji Idowu, challenged the government to bring the perpetrators to book.

This was as the Speaker of Benue Assembly, AondonaDajoh, ordered the release of all youths arrested during recent protests across the state.

In the motion which was unanimously adopted by the house, the three days of mourning will start from Wednesday, June 18, to Friday, June 20, 2025.

The House called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to ensure full implementation of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches (Establishment) Law, 2017, to end the killing of innocent people by armed herders in the state.

During a briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Makurdi yesterday, Lazarus Mom, on behalf of the Benue NGOs Network (BENGONET) and the Civil Society Organisations Bloc (CSO-B), decried the escalating violence and government’s inaction. He revealed that over 712 lives had been lost in conflict-related attacks since January 2025, with more than 180,000 people displaced and living in dire conditions.

On his part, the Lagos-based pastor said: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in Benue. I cannot remain silent in the suffering of our brothers and sisters. I have witnessed first hand how each cycle of violence has claimed lives, separated families and destroyed communities.”

The Speaker’s directive to release the protesters was issued during an emergency plenary convened in response to mounting public criticism over the detention of citizens who participated in demonstrations against the ongoing insecurity in parts of the state.

He said: “Peaceful protest is a constitutional right. No one should be punished for exercising their voice in a democratic society.”
Dajoh called on security agencies to respect the rights of peaceful demonstrators and ensure that future engagements with the public are carried out with professionalism and restraint.

The Assembly pledged to investigate the circumstances surrounding the arrests and to engage relevant authorities to prevent recurrence.