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.
The presence of the armed men and strange herders sparked widespread anxiety among residents, with people unable to sleep due to panic and fear. Scores of youths took to the streets to demand the immediate removal of the cattle and their minders, chanting and waving placards.
Tarkighir reportedly arrived at the scene to calm tensions and explain the situation, but his intervention was rejected by the protesters. The confrontation reached a head when the youths began chasing the herd out of the neighborhood, forcing the Fulani herders to flee with them.
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions between farmers and herders in Benue State, where recent deadly attacks on farming communities have sparked widespread outrage and fear. The protesters alleged that the presence of the herders posed a security risk, and their actions were a response to the perceived threat.
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