The Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Youths and Media Mobilization, Atu Terver, has praised the courageous actions of some young residents of the Nyorgyungu community in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, for confronting and expelling a herd of cattle and their minders from the area.
The cows, reportedly owned by Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, the member representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, were allegedly escorted into the community on Sunday night by a group of security personnel. Accompanying the cattle were six Fulani herders tasked with tending to the animals.
A video that has gone viral on social media shows that the presence of the cattle and herders triggered immediate outrage among the residents. In a swift and coordinated response, angry youths staged a protest to demand the immediate removal of the animals and the herders, citing security concerns and community sensitivities surrounding recent clashes between locals and herders in the region.
According to eyewitnesses, the protest quickly escalated, leading to a tense standoff. However, the youths remained resolute in their demands and eventually succeeded in driving both the herders and the cattle out of the community.
Reacting to the incident in a post on his Facebook page, Atu Terver lauded the youths for taking a firm but peaceful stand in protecting their community. While acknowledging Hon. Tarkighir’s right to engage in livestock business, Terver emphasized that bringing Fulani herders into the area at such a volatile time was ill-advised.
“The youths of the community who yesterday stood their ground and asked Hon. Dickson Tarkighir to remove his cows from Nyorgyungu have demonstrated uncommon bravery and unity. Their actions ensured that the cattle, along with the six Fulani herders who were tending them, left the area peacefully,” Terver stated.
He continued, “While the Honourable has every right to engage in cattle rearing, introducing Fulani herders into his constituency at this sensitive time is, in my view, not the wisest decision. The community is yearning for peace and stability.”
Benue State has been a flashpoint for farmer-herder conflicts in recent years, with numerous communities experiencing violent clashes. The state government and several stakeholders have consistently called for greater vigilance and proactive measures to prevent tensions from escalating.
Terver’s remarks reflect the delicate balance the state leadership is attempting to maintain respecting citizens' rights while ensuring the safety and stability of local communities.
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