The Benue State Police Command has acknowledged public demonstration that took place on Sunday, when a number of individuals protested at Wurukum Roundabout, Makurdi, to express grievances over recent security incidents in the State.
A Statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Udeme Edet indicates that while the right to peaceful protest is respected and protected, it is imperative that such expressions remain lawful and non-violent.
The Statement adds that upon receiving intelligence regarding the protest, tactical teams were immediately deployed to monitor and maintain order. The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, in a display of proactive leadership, visited the protest site alongside the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Sam Ode, in an effort to engage with the demonstrators and appeal for calm.
Unfortunately, the crowd declined to be addressed, and the protest was soon hijacked by disruptive elements who attempted to attack the Deputy Governor.
Police officers swiftly intervened using non-lethal crowd control measures, including smoke and water cannons, to prevent harm and safely evacuate the Deputy Governor from the scene.
The Statement says no casualties or injuries were recorded during the operation.
But that tragically later a separate group of hoodlums reportedly sympathetic to the protest obstructed a roadway in Apir, on the outskirts of Makurdi. They forcefully stopped a truck, which was subsequently set ablaze with the yet-to-be-identified driver trapped inside.
The Statement further reveals that the Command has so far arrested fourteen (14) suspects in connection with these incidents and that Investigations are ongoing to apprehend other culprits and instigators behind the violence, pointing out that the situation has now been brought under full control, and peace has been restored through the collaborative efforts of the police and other security agencies.