Benue Assembly demands immediate release of protesters arrested over Yelewata massacre

The Benue State House of Assembly has called for the urgent release of 14 individuals arrested by police during a peaceful protest held on Sunday, following the recent massacre in Yelewata community.

The protest was a direct response to the tragic attack that claimed the lives of dozens of residents, reportedly at the hands of suspected herdsmen. The demonstration, which drew attention to the growing insecurity in the region, was met with a police crackdown that resulted in multiple arrests.

During its plenary session on Tuesday, the Assembly condemned the arrests, asserting that the protesters were merely exercising their constitutional right to demand justice, protection, and government accountability.

“Their arrest is unjust and unacceptable,” the lawmakers declared. “These citizens were not violent—they were crying out over the relentless killings and the silence that follows them.”

In a unanimous resolution, the House urged both the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to not only secure the immediate release of the detained protesters but also to step up efforts in protecting vulnerable communities across the state.

Benue State has, in recent years, become a hotspot for deadly clashes and attacks, particularly in rural areas like Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area, where last week’s massacre took place. Lawmakers warned that unless the security situation is addressed, the cycle of violence and retaliation will continue.