Nigeria Powerlessness confirmed: Protesters in Benue teargassed over security request

Police fired teargas at Benue residents protesting insecurity after terrorists killed over 100 people in Yelwata town on Friday night, Premium Times reports. The attack targeted displaced people seeking refuge at the market square. Protesters wearing black blocked the Lafia-Makurdi highway Saturday, then gathered in Makurdi Sunday carrying "No violence" placards. The killings occurred despite Army Chief Olufemi Oluyede relocating to Benue two weeks earlier to address escalating violence.

Key Takeaways

• Over 100 civilians killed by suspected Fulani militia in Friday night attack on Yelwata market square
• Peaceful protesters wearing black clothing blocked a major highway and gathered in the state capital, demanding action
• Police responded with tear gas to disperse demonstrators seeking government protection from ongoing violence
• The latest killings occurred despite the Army Chief's recent deployment to personally oversee Benue security operations

When citizens must beg institutions for protection from killers, every response reveals who truly holds power. Teargas meets mourners because controlling grieving victims costs less political capital than confronting armed terrorists. This exposes institutional logic: suppress visible dissent while invisible violence continues. Why attack protesters instead of attackers? Because protesters can't fight back. Perhaps communities recognise this powerlessness signals the need for self-organised protection—building local resilience when state protection consistently fails those who need it most.

Why do institutions find it easier to attack citizens seeking help than criminals causing harm? Could this pattern force communities to build protection systems independent of state failure?

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Sources

Premium Times Nigeria