Shock in Benue: Governor’s Aides Suspended for Joining “End Benue Genocide” Protest

 

In the wake of yet another heartbreaking massacre in Benue State, hundreds of angry youths took to the streets on Sunday, June 15, 2025, to protest the continuous and brutal killings of innocent people by armed attackers. The protest, tagged #EndBenueGenocide, gained momentum following a violent attack in Yelwata community, located in Guma Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, which reportedly left around 200 people dead within just 48 hours.

The shocking scale of the killings—described by many as a genocide against indigenous communities in Benue—has sparked nationwide outrage. However, instead of solidarity, the protest has led to internal political fallout in the state government.

Governor’s Aides Suspended Over Protest Participation

In a move that has raised eyebrows across the state, Hon. Atu Terver Joseph, the Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on Youth and Media Mobilization, has suspended two of his top aides. The two suspended officials are Mr. John Ukeyima, who served as his Chief of Staff, and Mr. Lubem Terkula, his Chief Press Secretary.

Their offense? Participating in the End Benue Genocide protest alongside grieving and angry youths demanding an end to the wave of bloodshed in the state.

In a formal suspension letter dated Sunday night, June 15, Hon. Atu Terver stated:

“This letter serves as formal notification of your immediate and indefinite suspensions from your positions as Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary, effective June 14, 2025.”

He further elaborated on the reason for the suspension, saying:

“This decision has been made due to your actions that have been deemed as working against the explicit directives of your Principal. Such conduct is a serious breach of your duties and the trust placed in your office.”

Terver also made it clear that the suspended aides were not to continue in any official capacity:

“During the period of this indefinite suspension, you are to refrain from all official duties and responsibilities, and you are not permitted to represent this office or me in any capacity.”

Massacre in Guma: What Really Happened?

The latest attack that triggered the protests occurred between Friday, June 13, and Saturday, June 14, in Yelwata community, Guma Local Government Area, Benue State. According to local sources, the massacre was carried out by heavily armed men suspected to be herdsmen or militia groups who stormed the villages in the dead of night.

Eyewitness accounts reveal that entire households were wiped out, farmlands were destroyed, and several people remain missing. The community is now mourning the loss of over 200 lives—a figure that may still rise as more bodies are discovered.

The tragedy has once again highlighted the state of insecurity in Benue State and the failure of the federal government to provide adequate protection to rural communities.

Why Benue Youths Took to the Streets

Fed up with the silence and inaction of both the state and federal governments, Benue youths organized the #EndBenueGenocide protest. The goal was to draw national and international attention to what they see as a campaign of ethnic cleansing and deliberate extermination of their people.

Protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as:

• “Stop the Killings in Benue”

• “Our Lives Matter Too”

• “End Benue Genocide Now”

• “Protect Benue Communities”

The peaceful march took place in Makurdi and several other local towns across the state. Youths demanded that the government take immediate steps to arrest and prosecute the attackers, compensate affected families, and deploy adequate security forces to prevent future attacks.

Public Reaction: Mixed Feelings Over the Suspension

The suspension of the two aides has generated mixed reactions across social and political circles in Benue State.

Some residents and youth groups have expressed disappointment, calling the suspension a misplaced priority. According to them, the officials were simply standing in solidarity with their people during a time of unimaginable grief and terror.

“It’s shameful that instead of joining us to demand justice, they are suspending people for speaking up,” said one protester who gave his name as Terkaa. “This is not the kind of leadership we need in Benue right now.”

Others argue that public officials should follow the chain of command and avoid engaging in any activity that may portray the government as divided.

The Bigger Picture: Is Benue Being Silenced?

The #EndBenueGenocide protest has reignited a conversation that many Nigerians feel has been ignored for too long: the persistent and deadly attacks on farming communities in the Middle Belt region, particularly Benue State.

Benue, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” has seen repeated attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen, leading to thousands of deaths and the displacement of entire communities. Yet, there has been no significant national emergency declared to stop the carnage.

Many activists now fear that the suspension of government aides for simply participating in a peaceful protest is a clear sign that the political elite may be more interested in controlling the narrative than actually ending the killings.

What Comes Next?

With two high-ranking aides now indefinitely suspended, questions are being raised about the state government’s position on the issue. Why punish people for participating in a protest that seeks to protect lives? Shouldn’t leaders be seen as defenders of their people, especially in times of crisis?

Political analysts believe that the move may backfire and deepen the rift between the youth and the state government. Already, there are reports that more youth organizations are planning larger protests in the coming days to not only condemn the killings but also criticize the government’s perceived insensitivity.

Final Thoughts: A State in Pain, a Government Under Pressure

The recent massacre in Yelwata and the protest that followed have once again exposed the deep wounds that Benue people carry. With over 200 lives lost in one weekend, the call for justice is not just loud—it is desperate.

Suspending aides for joining this call may send the wrong signal that the government is more focused on protocol than protection. For many in Benue, survival is no longer guaranteed, and any effort—official or unofficial—to raise awareness should be seen as a step toward healing, not insubordination.