BREAKING: Benue Speaker orders immediate release of arrested peaceful protesters

The Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, has ordered the immediate release of all youths detained during recent peaceful protests held across the state.

The directive came on Tuesday during an emergency plenary session convened in response to growing public outrage over the arrest of demonstrators protesting the persistent insecurity affecting several communities in Benue.

Addressing lawmakers on the floor of the House, Speaker Dajoh reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to upholding democratic values and protecting the constitutional rights of all Benue citizens.

“Peaceful protest is a constitutional right,” Dajoh declared. “No one should be punished for exercising their voice in a democratic society.”

His remarks were met with resounding applause from fellow legislators and praised by civil rights groups as a courageous move to safeguard civil liberties.

The Speaker also urged security agencies to respect the rights of peaceful demonstrators and to adopt professionalism and restraint in future interactions with the public.

In addition, the Assembly pledged to launch an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrests and to work with relevant authorities to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.