Monday, June 16, 2025 - Tension flared in the Nyorhyungu area of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Monday morning as irate youths forcefully drove out a herd of cattle reportedly belonging to Dickson Tarkighir, a member of the House of Representatives representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency.
The chaos followed the arrival of the cows on Sunday
evening, accompanied by six Fulani herders and a group of heavily armed
escorts.
According to eyewitnesses the presence of the armed men and
strange herders sparked widespread anxiety among residents.
“People couldn’t sleep. There was panic everywhere. We were
shocked to see armed escorts with cows parading through our community,” said a
resident who requested anonymity.
“It felt like an invasion. No one knew what was happening or
why they were here.”
By dawn, the community had erupted in protest, with scores
of youths taking to the streets to demand the immediate removal of the cattle
and their minders.
The protesters, chanting and waving placards, alleged that
the presence of the herders posed a security risk, especially in light of
recent deadly attacks on farming communities in Benue State.
Tarkighir reportedly arrived at the scene in a bid to calm
tensions and explain the situation.
However, his intervention was roundly rejected by the
protesters, who insisted that both the cows and their Fulani handlers must
leave the area without delay.
The confrontation reached a head when the youths, undeterred
by security personnel, began chasing the herd out of the neighborhood, forcing
the Fulani herders to flee with them.
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