Tensions escalated in the Nyorhyungu community of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Monday morning after irate youths forcefully expelled a herd of cattle said to belong to Rep. Dickson Tarkighir, who represents the Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency.
The unrest followed the arrival of the cattle on Sunday evening, accompanied by six Fulani herders and a group of heavily armed escorts — a development that threw the community into panic.
Residents said they were unsettled by the sight of armed men accompanying the herders, prompting fears of a possible incursion.
“It was frightening,” a resident who declined to be named told DAILY POST. “Seeing armed men casually strolling through with cows at that hour was like a threat. Nobody slept peacefully.”
By early Monday, the tension spilled into a full-blown protest as scores of angry youths stormed the streets, chanting slogans and waving placards to demand the immediate removal of the cattle and their handlers.
The protesters decried the perceived security risk posed by the herders’ presence, referencing recent attacks in the state that have left several farming communities devastated.
When Rep. Tarkighir showed up to address the crowd and clarify the situation, he was met with rejection.
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The youths stood their ground, insisting that neither the cattle nor the herders would be allowed to stay.
The standoff reached its peak when the protesters took matters into their own hands, chasing the herd out of the area.
The Fulani herders, reportedly overwhelmed and fearful, fled alongside the cattle.
Security operatives at the scene were reportedly unable to stop the youths from dispersing the group.
As of the time of reporting, there has been no official statement from the Benue State government or security agencies regarding the incident.
However, community leaders have called for calm while urging authorities to investigate the events and address underlying concerns.