Angry residents in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State have launched protests following the killing of three community guards by bandits. The unrest began early on Tuesday, March 11, when local youths retrieved the bodies of the guards, who had been killed the previous evening, March 10, in a village in Gwer West. They then brought the bodies to the local government headquarters to voice their anger.
The protests escalated when the youths set fire to the council secretariat, the palace of the traditional head of Naka, Ter Nagi Chief Daniel Abomtse, and a hotel owned by Senator Titus Zam. The senator represents Benue North West in the National Assembly.
A local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, explained the frustration, saying, “The youths are angry because bandits are killing our people, and the state government seems unresponsive. Since the bodies of the guards arrived, protesters have torched the council secretariat, Ter Nagi’s palace, and a hotel belonging to Senator Titus Zam.”
Victor Ormin, Chairman of Gwer West LGA, clarified that the protests, initially sparked by the killing of the three Benue Civil Protection Guards, were hijacked by hoodlums who went on to set fire to the council secretariat and the palace of Ter Nagi. He confirmed that the guards had been killed by armed invaders in Garuwa, a council ward in Gwer West, and that their bodies being brought to Naka had ignited the protests.
