Amid rising tensions in Benue State, the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG) have debunked claims that three of their personnel were killed by armed herdsmen in Gyaluwa, Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA). The alleged killings had sparked violent protests in Naka, where angry youths set fire to the Local Government Council Secretariat, a traditional ruler’s palace, and properties belonging to prominent individuals.
However, BSCPG Commander, Capt. Ayuma Ajobi (retd), dismissed the viral reports as false and misleading.
“I want to make it categorically clear that the video circulating online about BSCPG members being killed is untrue,” Ajobi stated. “The individuals mentioned are not part of our unit. I have checked my records, and none of the names listed belong to my men. They were local youths who acted independently.”
Supporting this claim, Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, also condemned the misinformation. He clarified that BSCPG operatives are not authorized to engage in any operations without official orders, which had not been issued.
“The BSCPG’s mandate is to protect lives and property in collaboration with conventional security forces,” Har added.
The government has urged calm, warning against politically motivated unrest and emphasizing that the rampage in Naka was unjustified. Investigations are ongoing to determine the real cause of the violence.
