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In a striking display of mixed emotions, residents of Kwande Local Government Area in Benue State turned out in large numbers to protest and welcome Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia during his recent visit to the area—only five days after a reported massacre that claimed the lives of scores of people.
A video circulating on social media, shared by local resident Beatrice Amuaa, shows crowds of men, women, and children gathered along a roadside, many waving branches and chanting as a convoy—including what appears to be the governor’s vehicle—passes through. Some participants are seen standing in the back of pickup trucks, while others line the path holding leaves and raising their hands in apparent expressions of both solidarity and frustration.
The gathering occurred against the backdrop of fresh violence that has once again gripped parts of Kwande, a region repeatedly hit by attacks attributed to suspected armed herders. Community sources and eyewitness accounts describe the earlier incident as a brutal assault that left dozens dead, deepened displacement, and heightened fear among farming communities already reeling from months of insecurity.
While some interpreted the roadside demonstration as a form of welcome and show of support for the state governor’s presence amid the crisis, others described it as a protest highlighting ongoing pain, grief, and demands for stronger government action. The juxtaposition of celebratory elements—such as singing and waving—with the raw trauma of recent killings has sparked debate online and within local circles about the message being conveyed.
The caption accompanying the widely shared clip read in part: “The Kwande people held a protest in welcoming the governor during his visit to the area, 5 days after the massacre of scores of people. May God heal our land.”
Governor Alia’s visit to Kwande follows a pattern of outreach to violence-affected communities in Benue, where he has previously met with displaced persons, orphaned children, and local leaders to assess the humanitarian toll and pledge support. However, critics argue that visits alone are insufficient without decisive security interventions to halt the recurring attacks.
The latest events underscore the complex and often polarized responses within communities long burdened by conflict. For many residents, the appearance of large crowds at such a moment reflects both a desperate hope for leadership intervention and an unmistakable cry against continued bloodshed and neglect.
As Benue continues to grapple with these security challenges, the scenes from Kwande serve as a powerful reminder of the deep scars left by violence and the urgent need for measures that go beyond symbolic gestures to deliver lasting peace and protection for affected populations.
