The Principal Special Assistant (PSA) to the Governor of Benue State on Youth and Media Mobilization, Hon. Atu Terver Joseph, has indefinitely suspended his Chief of Staff, Mr. John Ukeyima, and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Lubem Terkula, for participating in protests against the ongoing killings in the state.
The suspensions, effective June 14, 2025, were communicated through a letter from Terver, accusing the two aides of acting against the explicit directives of their principal and breaching the trust placed in their offices. The letter instructed them to refrain from all official duties and prohibited them from representing the office or the PSA in any capacity during the suspension period.
This disciplinary action followed widespread protests by hundreds of Benue youths in Makurdi, the state capital, who marched to draw global attention to the recent deadly attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen. The protests were sparked by a horrific massacre in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area, where nearly 250 people were killed in a coordinated assault.
Governor Hyacinth Alia has condemned the attacks and called for peace and reconciliation, while security agencies have intensified efforts to restore order. The violence has drawn national and international condemnation, with calls for urgent government intervention to end the cycle of bloodshed in Benue State.
The suspension of the Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary highlights the sensitivity within the government regarding public dissent amid the crisis, reflecting tensions between officials and activists demanding stronger action against the violence.
