Gunshots in Markudi as youths protest Fulani herdsmen’s killings

MAKURDI, the capital city of Benue State was early on Saturday taken over by youths protesting the recent killings in Guma and Logo Local Government Areas of the state by Fulani herdsmen.

The youths were said to have shot sporadically as they stormed Wadata and Wurukum markets, the two major markets in the town.

In the resulting pandemonium, traders who had opened their shops for business had to hurriedly close their shops and scamper for safety.

It was gathered that security operatives were later deployed to the areas to calm the situation.

One of the traders, who spoke to Sunday Tribune, said, “I was already in my shop at 10 a.m, when we heard sporadic gunshots. I hurriedly locked my shop and ran to a nearby police station.

“It was there I learnt that some youths said they wanted to avenge the killings of their people by herdsmen,” the trader said.

Effort to get the state Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Yamu, to confirm the development failed as he did not pick calls made to him.

Meanwhile, the state governor, Samuel Ortom, has condemned the protests in some parts of Makurdi.

A statement by Ortom’s Media Adviser, TahavArgezua, said the governor had directed the State Commissioner of Police to restore order in the affected places.

“The governor appeals to residents to remain calm and report any breach of peace to security agencies for necessary action.

“He said the state has suffered too much loss in terms of human lives and property and cannot afford another round of crisis.

“The governor also directed the police to arrest those who cause trouble whoever they are, investigate the causes of the protests, and prosecute those responsible for breach of the peace.

“He assured Benue people that efforts would be intensified with the collaboration of the relevant security agencies to restore peace and order to all parts of the state,” the statement said.