By Olikita Ekani
(Makurdi) Irate Christian protesters on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, burned down the palace of Ter Nagi and Gwer-West County Secretariat over the killing of three persons by armed Fulani militia.
Ter Nagi (Tyoshin), Chief Daniel Abomtse is the Paramount Traditional Ruler of the entire county, which means he shares some power with elected political leaders. Locals tell TruthNigeria he is blamed for his silence over the relentless attacks, killings and kidnappings by Muslim Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) in the county.
Gwer-West County, with Naka as the Headquarters, is an agrarian and predominantly Christian county in which 96 percent of the residents are Catholic. It is located 34 miles (55km) southwest of Makurdi, the Benue State Capital and 154 miles (249km) southeast of Abuja, the Federal Capital. Gwer-West has been under deadly attack by Fulani Jihadists for more than 14 years, leading to the killing and displacement of thousands of inhabitants
“Over 1 million Christians, mostly Catholics, have been displaced from their ancestral homes. Hundreds have been kidnapped, and thousands have been killed. As I speak, 8 out of 15 council wards are under Fulani Jihadist occupation”, according to Reverend Father Cletus Bua, the Priest of St. Xavier Catholic Parish in Agagbe in an exclusive interview with TruthNigeria. said
The violent protest on March 11 was triggered by a fresh attack on Mba-Aondo community by Fulani terrorists in the late hours of Monday, March 10, 2025, leading to the brutal murder of 3 Christian members of a local Civil Protection Guards, Mr Akyam Ayue, Donatus Tersue Ushiligh and one other.
Eyewitness speaks
Mr Kenneth Agbu, a resident of Naka and an eyewitness in a phone interview with TruthNigeria, confirmed the attack and the follow-up violent demonstration, saying his people were extremely angry and have been patient for too long.
“The last night attack on our people in Gyaluwa community by armed Fulani militia was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Our people are being killed by Fulani terrorists almost on daily basis, but no decisive action by the government”
“On Tuesday, our people evacuated the 3 bodies of the victims of the last night attack to the local government (county) Secretariat in protest against government’s inaction, sparking an outcry that quickly spiraled into violent demonstration, leading to the burning down of the palace of Ter Nagi and part of the Council’s Secretariat”, Agbu said.
County Chairman Confirms Attack, Violent Protest, declares 24-hour Curfew
Earlier in a phone interview with TruthNigeria on Tuesday, Gwer-West County Chairman, Victor Torsar Ormin, condemned the killing and the follow-up violent demonstration that led to the destruction and burning down of some structures in Naka town.
“Yes, there was a serious tension in Naka on Tuesday as a result of the gruesome murder of 3 residents On-Mba-Aondo community who were also members of local Civil Protection Guards protecting the community.”
“The bodies of the victims were evacuated to Naka, the Local Government (County) headquarters. This led to an uncontrolled anger and protest, leading to wanton destructions by some hoodlums who hijacked the protest.”
“Nobody is happy with the endless killings in our land. Fulani terrorists are hell-bent to seize our land, subjugate and to impose their religious indoctrination on our people. We won’t accept that. They must leave our land”, Victor Ormin said.
County Chairman imposes 24-hour Curfew
In a press statement the Chairman personally signed later on Tuesday, the embattled Ormin imposed a 24-hour Curfew on Naka town, the county headquarters, till further notice.
“In the meantime, I have declared a 24-hour curfew in Naka Town, effective immediately, until further notice. This decision was not taken lightly, but it is necessary to prevent further breakdown of law and order and to protect the lives and properties of our citizens”, part of the statement read.
Governor Alia Condemns the killing
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia has condemned the brutal killing of the 3-members of the Civil Protection Guards by armed Fulani militia in On-Mba-Aondo, Tsambe-Mbesev in Gwer-West County
In a press statement on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, the governor stated that the inhuman act, carried out by marauding armed herdsmen, is once more, a flagrant affront to the peace and security of our communities
“We appreciate the deep rage and frustration that has led to the anxiety at Naka, the headquarters of Gwer-West, including the regrettable burning of the Local Government Secretariat and the palace of Ter Nagi by protesters”, according to the statement.
Several attempts to hear the security version of the story through phone calls to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene couldn’t yield any positive results as the calls were not answered.
Olikita Ekani, a Conflict Reporter with TruthNigeria.
