The Benue State Police Command says it has arrested 14 people after a peaceful protest in Makurdi turned violent on Sunday.
According to the police, some hoodlums hijacked the protest and set a truck on fire, burning the driver alive.
The incident happened in Apir, a community on the outskirts of Makurdi.
This was made known in a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Command, SP Catherine Udeme Edet, and shared with journalists on Sunday.
“While the right to peaceful protest is respected and protected, it is important that such actions remain lawful and non-violent,”; the statement read.
The protest started at Wurukum Roundabout in Makurdi, where some youths gathered to express their anger over recent killings in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, and the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Barr. John Ode, visited the protest ground to calm the situation.
“Unfortunately, the crowd refused to listen and the protest was hijacked by violent people who even attempted to attack the Deputy Governor,”; the police said.
“Officers quickly stepped in and used non-lethal methods such as smoke and water to disperse the crowd and safely evacuate the deputy governor.
“The police confirmed that no one was injured during this operation.”;
However, things worsened later in Apir where another group of hoodlums blocked a road, stopped a moving truck, and set it on fire.
The driver, who is yet to be identified, was trapped inside and burnt to death.
The police said, “The command has so far arrested 14 suspects in connection with these incidents. They will be prosecuted accordingly. Investigations are ongoing to arrest other suspects and those who planned the attack.”;
The police also advised the public to always remain peaceful when expressing grievances and not allow criminals to take advantage of such gatherings.
