According to Punch, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on Ukum Local Government Area (LGA) following a violent protest by youths over the killing of 11 residents by bandits on Tuesday night. The protesters destroyed the LGA secretariat, INEC office, and other government properties.
The INEC National Commissioner, Sam Olumekun, confirmed the attack, stating that the damage was extensive, with office furniture, generators, ballot boxes, and voting cubicles destroyed.
The Governor's decision came after a briefing by the Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, who stated that the curfew was necessary to protect lives and property in the area.
The protest was sparked by the killing of 11 people by bandits in Ayati village, with the youths demanding action from the government to address the frequent killings and kidnappings in the area.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Internal Security, Joseph Har, attributed the killings to bandits, assuring that the government would sustain its efforts to dislodge them.