Benue Governor’s Aide Sacks Two Officials for Protesting Killings in State
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The Principal Special Assistant to the Benue State Governor on Youth and Media Mobilization, Hon. Atu Terver Joseph, has sacked his Chief of Staff, Mr. John Ukeyima, and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Lubem Terkula, for participating in a protest against the ongoing killings in the state.
The dismissals were confirmed in a letter dated Sunday, June 14, 2025, in which Terver accused the two aides of acting against the directives of the state government.
“This letter serves as formal notification of your immediate and indefinite suspensions from your position as Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary, effective today,” the letter read in part. “This decision has been made due to your actions that have been deemed as working against the explicit directives of your Principal.”
Terver described their involvement in the protest as a “serious breach of duty and trust,” warning them to abstain from all official responsibilities and not to represent his office in any capacity going forward.
The action comes amid widespread outrage and grief in Benue State following a fresh wave of violent attacks that left nearly 250 people dead in Yelewata, a community in Guma Local Government Area. The killings have been attributed to suspected Fulani herdsmen.
In response, hundreds of angry youths took to the streets of Makurdi, the state capital, on Sunday to stage a protest, calling for global attention and swift action from the government.
The dismissal of Ukeyima and Terkula has drawn criticism from observers who see it as an attempt to silence voices calling for justice and government accountability. Critics argue that the decision reflects growing tension within the state’s leadership as pressure mounts over the worsening security situation.
Benue has remained one of Nigeria’s most volatile states in recent years, with frequent attacks on farming communities. The latest killings have reignited calls for federal intervention and a comprehensive review of the country’s security architecture.
