Benue Gov’s PSA Sacks Two Top Aides for Joining Protest Over Killings
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Benue Gov’s PSA Sacks Two Top Aides for Joining Protest Over Killings
The Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on Youth and Media Mobilization, Hon. Atu Terver Joseph, has dismissed two of his top aides for participating in a protest against the ongoing killings in the state.
The affected officials, Chief of Staff Mr. John Ukeyima and Chief Press Secretary Mr. Lubem Terkula, were reportedly suspended for what the PSA described as actions contrary to the directives of the state government.
In a strongly worded letter issued on Sunday night, Terver accused both aides of working against the administration’s interests.
The suspension letter reads,
“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, June 14, 2025.
This decision has been made due to your actions that have been deemed as working against the explicit directives of your Principal.
Such conduct is a serious breach of your duties and the trust placed in your office.
During the period of this indefinite suspension, you are to refrain from all official duties and responsibilities, and you are not permitted to represent this office or me in any capacity.”
The development comes amid widespread public outrage following a mass protest staged in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, where hundreds of youths marched to demand justice and draw global attention to persistent attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
Read also: Angry Youths, VeryDarkMan Lead Protest Over Yelwata Massacre
The immediate trigger for the protest was the gruesome killing of nearly 250 people in Yelewata, a community in Guma Local Government Area of the state.
The protest has stirred tensions between the state government and citizens, many of whom accuse Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration of being insensitive to the security crisis ravaging rural communities.
Critics say the dismissal of the aides sends a message that officials who show solidarity with victims of violence may face internal sanctions, further fueling public dissatisfaction.
