By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
Worried by the devastation caused by the recent unrest in Naka, Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, the state government is to set up a judicial commission of enquiry.
Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue State disclosed this in Naka, headquarters of Gwer West LGA, during his visit to the area following a civil unrest by youths that occurred on March 11, 2024.
During the protest, the Ter Nagi’s Palace and the Local Government Secretariat, among several other structures, were razed.
Addressing the people of Gwer West at the Local Government Council Secretariat after assessing the level of destruction, Gov. Alia condemned the act, saying there were better ways of projecting their grievances.
The Governor, who assured that the state government would do everything possible in collaboration with security agencies to fish out those behind the incident, lamented that Gwer West was experiencing high level of insecurity and does not need such distractions at this critical moment.
According to him, the State Government was working assiduously with support from the Federal Government to bring the issue of Fulani herders’ attacks on Benue communities to a permanent end.
Welcoming the Governor to his palace, the Ter Nagi, His Royal Highness Chief Daniel Abomtse, described the youth violence as highly motivated, meticulously planned and efficiently executed.
The monarch noted that the unrest that occured has a tone that is quite different from civil protests.
“If those boys were protesting, we didn’t see any placards calling for action from the State Government over any issue. They are a gang of criminals who had their project oiled by some kingpin somewhere within my domain,” he said.
The traditional ruler lamented that his subjects, purportedly under influence from somewhere, rose up one day and set his palace ablaze.
He appealed that the government should dig deep into the root cause of the incident and take necessary action.
In his remarks, Chairman of Gwer West LGA, Victor Ormin, confirmed the incident disclosing that investigation is ongoing.
He added that some suspects had already been arrested.
On the heels of the unrest, Gov. Alia had visited the crisis area.
Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, in a statement, said Gov. Alia visited the Local Government Secretariat during the visit.
According to the statement, the Governor also went to the palace of the Ter Tyoshin/Nagi, HRH Abomtse where he saw four of the royal father’s houses that were torched and totally looted.
The Governor, who was on his way to Otukpo, also stopped over and assessed the destruction/looting at the Naka home of the former Registrar, Council for Registration of Engineers (COREN), Engr. Engr Felix Atume.
It could be recalled that on March 11, 2025, youths protesting the killing of three of their colleagues at Tsambe-Mmbesev Ward, set ablaze and looted the palace of the Ter and its extension.
The youths razed almost all structures at the Local Government Secretariat. The house of Engr. Atume and others were not spared.
