Jonathan Nwokpor
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A herd of cattle that was allegedly owned by Dickson Tarkighir, a member of the House of Representatives representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, was forcibly driven out by angry youths on Monday morning, escalating tensions in the Nyorhyungu neighborhood of Makurdi, the capital of Benue State.
After the cows arrived on Sunday night with a squad of heavily armed escorts and six Fulani herders, there was anarchy.
According to witnesses who spoke to ZINGTIE, the armed men and unfamiliar herders caused a great deal of worry among the locals.
“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.”
Many young people took to the streets to demand that the cattle and their minders be removed immediately, sparking a community outcry by sunrise.
Chanting and brandishing placards, the demonstrators claimed that the herders’ presence constituted a security threat, particularly in view of recent fatal attacks on Benue State farming villages.
According to reports, Tarkighir showed up at the scene to try to defuse the situation and ease emotions.
But the demonstrators vehemently objected to his intervention, demanding that the cows and their Fulani herders immediately vacate the area.
The conflict escalated when the young people, unfazed by the security guards, started to chase the herd out of the area, forcing the Fulani herders to follow them.
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