No fewer than 3,000 protesters in Benue State took to the streets to protest Tuesday killings in some parts of the state by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
At least 50 persons are believed to be dead, according to reports.
The protestors who blocked the strategic Wurukum roundabout and Makurdi-Lafia demanded President Muhammadu Buhari’s resignation if he cannot find a solution to the herdsmen menace.
The peaceful protesters reportedly took to the streets as early as 8.00am, causing heavy traffic in the state capital.
However, the group went wild when they saw a car conveying about six bodies from Guma council to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital morgue, Vanguard reported.
They demanded the president’s resignation as they chanted war songs.
This came on the heels of an announcement by the State Police Command that it has arrested eight herdsmen in Guma and Logo LGAs.
The protesters were also said to have attacked the convoy of the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, pelting it with storms and sticks.
However, the governor demanded an immediate arrest of the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.
He said the group’s leadership had threatened to attack the state and have made good their promise.
“The president and secretary of that group had threatened to invade Benue State. They have made good their threat. I am accusing them directly, they should be arrested, there are no sacred cows in this country if we all must be seen to be Nigerians,” Ortom said.
While confirming that more bodies continue to be recovered from bushes in the affected areas, Ortom added: “I feel the pains of my people and that is why we have this kind of situation but we must not allow our anger to linger.”
The state governor recently signed into law a bill banning open grazing in the state.