Benue Police Detain 14 After Protest Hijacked and Truck Set on Fire

On Sunday, June 15, 2025, a peaceful demonstration by youths in Makurdi, Benue State, was violently disrupted, leading to the arrest of 14 suspects by the Benue State Police Command. The protest, aimed at highlighting security concerns, was initially peaceful but was overtaken by violent elements who blocked a road in Apir, a suburb of Makurdi, and set a truck ablaze with the driver trapped inside.

According to a statement from the police spokesperson, Udeme Edet, the identity of the trapped driver is yet to be confirmed. The police have pledged to prosecute the arrested suspects and continue investigations to bring all perpetrators to justice.

The statement explained that the protest began at Wurukum Roundabout, where demonstrators gathered to express grievances related to recent security incidents in the state. The police acknowledged the right to peaceful assembly but stressed the importance of maintaining order and non-violence.

Upon receiving intelligence about the protest, tactical police units were deployed promptly. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, alongside Deputy Governor Barr. John Ode, visited the protest site to engage with the crowd and encourage peaceful conduct. However, the crowd refused to be addressed and was soon hijacked by disruptive individuals who attempted to attack the deputy governor.

Police officers used non-lethal crowd control tactics, including smoke and water cannons, to safely evacuate the deputy governor. No injuries were recorded during the intervention.

Later, a separate group sympathetic to the protest blocked a road in Apir and set a truck on fire with the driver inside. The police condemned these violent acts, reiterated support for lawful protests, and assured the public of their commitment to maintaining peace and security in Benue State.