The Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on Youth and Media Mobilisation, Honourable Atu Terver Joseph, has dismissed his Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary for allegedly acting against the interests of the state government.
Mr John Ukeyima (Chief of Staff) and Mr Lubem Terkula (Chief Press Secretary) were both relieved of their duties following their participation in a protest condemning the escalating violence in the state.
The protest, held in Makurdi on Sunday, was in response to continued attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen, most recently in the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, where close to 250 lives were reportedly lost.
In a formal letter issued on Sunday evening, Terver cited the aides’ actions as contrary to official directives and a betrayal of the trust placed in their offices.
“This letter serves as formal notification of your immediate and indefinite suspensions from your positions as Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary, effective today, 14 June 2025,” the letter read.
“This decision has been made due to your actions that have been deemed as working against the explicit directives of your Principal. Such conduct is 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 you are not permitted to represent this office or me in any capacity.”
According to reports by New Daily Prime, the mass protest saw hundreds of Benue youths take to the streets of Makurdi to draw global attention to the ongoing spate of killings in the region. The demonstrators decried what they described as government inaction in the face of repeated attacks on rural communities.
The protest was particularly fuelled by the recent tragedy in Yelewata, where nearly 250 residents were reportedly slaughtered in yet another wave of violence linked to longstanding herder-farmer conflicts.
The dismissals have since sparked debate on social media, with critics questioning the government’s response to both the security crisis and the peaceful protest. Some view the sackings as a move to silence dissenting voices within the administration, while others argue the aides overstepped their roles.
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