Tension in Makurdi as angry youths chase away Rep’s cows, Fulani herders

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.

Eyewitnesses told Our correspondent that the presence of the armed men and strange herders sparked widespread anxiety among residents.

“People couldn’t sleep. There was panic everywhere. We were shocked to see armed escorts with cows parading through our community,” said a resident who requested anonymity.

“It felt like an invasion. No one knew what was happening or why they were here.”

By dawn, the community had erupted in protest, with scores of youths taking to the streets to demand the immediate removal of the cattle and their minders.

The protesters, chanting and waving placards, alleged that the presence of the herders posed a security risk, especially in light of recent deadly attacks on farming communities in Benue State.

Tarkighir reportedly arrived at the scene in a bid to calm tensions and explain the situation.

However, his intervention was roundly rejected by the protesters, who insisted that both the cows and their Fulani handlers must leave the area without delay.

The confrontation reached a head when the youths, undeterred by security personnel, began chasing the herd out of the neighborhood, forcing the Fulani herders to flee with them.