Benue massacre: Gov Alia’s PSA sacks Chief of Staff, CPS for joining protest

The Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on Youth and Media Mobilization, Hon. Atu Terver Joseph, has sacked his Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. John Ukeyima and Mr. Lubem Terkula respectively, for participating in a protest against the ongoing killings in the state.

Terver made the announcement on Sunday night in a letter addressed to the two aides, accusing them of working against the state government.

The letter reads:

“This letter serves as formal notification of your immediate and indefinite suspension from your position as Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary, effective today, June 14, 2025.

“This decision has been made due to your actions, which have been deemed as working against the explicit directives of your principal.

“Such conduct constitutes a serious breach of your duties and the trust placed in your office.

“During the period of this indefinite suspension, you are to refrain from all official duties and responsibilities and are not permitted to represent this office or me in any capacity.”

Daily Post reports that hundreds of Benue youths staged a protest in Makurdi, the state capital, on Sunday to draw global attention to the incessant and deadly attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The protest was triggered by a recent massacre in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area, where nearly 250 people were reportedly killed.