The palace of Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, in Naka and parts of the Gwer West Local Government Secretariat in Benue State have been razed down by protesting youths.
The rampage was triggered off when bodies of three people killed by gunmen were brought to Naka in the early hours of Tuesday.
It was learnt that gunmen reportedly killed three operatives of the Benue Civil Protection Guards at Garuwa community in the local government area.
The Chairman of Gwer West LG, Victor Ormin, and Ter Nagi, Chief Daniel Abomtse, confirmed the incident on Tuesday.
Oirin said “they burned down the secretariat and the Ter Naka palace. Three protection guards were killed in Garuwa so when their bodies were brought to Naka, it sparked protest from the youth and it’s now being taken over by hoodlums,” the chairman said.
Meanwhile, Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has condemned the killing of three personnel of the state security outfit, Civil Protection Guards, in Gwer West Local Government Area in the early hours of Tuesday.
The attack triggered violent protests in Naka, the council headquarters, leading to the burning of the local government secretariat, the palace of the Ter Nagi, and several private properties.
Alia’s spokesperson, Kula Tersoo, said on Tuesday that Alia described the attack as a direct assault on the peace and security of Benue communities.
“We deeply mourn the murder of these brave members of the Civil Protection Guards who were on duty to protect our people at On-MbaAondo, Tsambe-Mbesev ward of Gwer West,” the statement read.
Alia who acknowledged the anger and frustration of the people, to the locals to exercise restraint and avoid further destruction of public and private properties.
“We understand the deep rage that has led to the unrest in Naka, including the unfortunate burning of the local government secretariat and the palace of *Ter Nagi* by protesters. However, we must channel our anger constructively. Destroying our own assets only derails our efforts to rebuild and secure our communities,” he said.
The governor ordered security agencies to track and arrest those responsible for the attack, saying the perpetrators must be prosecuted.
