Benue Assembly Orders Immediate Release of Detained Protesters Amid Rising Public Outcry
MAKURDI In a decisive move aimed at calming public tensions and upholding democratic freedoms, the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Aondona Dajoh, on Tuesday ordered the unconditional release of youths arrested during recent protests across the state.
The order was issued during an emergency plenary session convened in response to growing public condemnation over the detention of citizens who had taken to the streets to protest the worsening security situation in several communities.
Speaker Dajoh, addressing lawmakers on the Assembly floor, condemned the arrests as a breach of constitutional rights and reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to defending democratic values and civil liberties.
“Peaceful protest is a constitutional right,” Dajoh stated. “No citizen should be punished for raising their voice in a democratic society.”
His remarks were met with resounding applause from lawmakers and welcomed by civil society groups, many of whom had criticized the government’s response to the protests as heavy-handed and undemocratic.
Rights activists hailed the Speaker’s directive as a necessary step to restore public confidence in state institutions and to safeguard the right to dissent. Several observers also noted that the swift legislative response contrasts sharply with the slow reaction of law enforcement agencies to the insecurity that initially triggered the demonstrations.
Dajoh did not stop at calling for the detainees’ release. He also issued a strong warning to security operatives, urging them to exercise restraint and uphold the law in their interactions with peaceful demonstrators.
“Security agencies must act with professionalism and respect for human dignity. Intimidation and unlawful arrests have no place in a lawful society,” he said.
The Speaker further pledged that the Assembly would launch a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrests, with the aim of holding those responsible accountable and preventing future occurrences.
The protests, which erupted last week, were sparked by increasing attacks on rural communities by unidentified gunmen. Critics have accused the state government of failing to respond adequately to the crisis, leaving residents vulnerable and desperate.
As pressure mounts on authorities to address the root causes of the unrest, Dajoh’s intervention may prove to be a turning point in the ongoing crisis if backed by decisive action.
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Benue Assembly Orders Immediate Release of Detained Protesters Amid Rising Public Outcry