Benue: Gboko imposes curfew as BEMOA protest turns violent, two vehicles burnt

By Johnson Arua

The Gboko Local Government Council of Benue State has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the area following violent protests by members of the Benue Motorcycle Hirers Association, BEMOA, over the killing of one of their members by unknown gunmen.

The council also suspended the leadership of the BEMOA, Gboko branch, with immediate effect, as part of measures to restore peace and prevent further escalation of the crisis.

The protest, which was reportedly triggered by the death of the motorcycle operator, allegedly became violent after it was hijacked by hoodlums who set ablaze two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.

The measures were announced by the Gboko Local Government Security Council in a statement signed by its Secretary, Vincent Nev.

According to the statement, the Executive Chairman of the council, Torseer Yina, ordered the immediate suspension of the BEMOA leadership in the local government.

“The Executive Chairman, Gboko Local Government Council, Torseer Yina, has suspended the leadership of the Benue Motorcycle Hirers Association, BEMOA, Gboko branch, with immediate effect,” the statement said.

It added that the chairman had also imposed “a dusk to dawn curfew starting from Thursday, October 8, 2026.”

The council said the action was aimed at containing the unrest and violent protests which followed the killing of the BEMOA member.

“The action is to contain the unrest and violent protests by members of BEMOA following the death of one of her members by unknown gunmen,” it stated.

The council expressed concern over the escalation of the protest, particularly the alleged burning of government vehicles, stressing that the demonstration had been hijacked by hoodlums.

“The protest which was hijacked by hoodlums turned violent when the angry mob burnt down two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards,” the statement said.

Yina subsequently warned residents and other persons within the local government against violating the curfew or engaging in activities capable of threatening public peace.

The chairman declared that anyone caught breaching the order would be dealt with decisively.

He warned that “anybody caught flouting the order and breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with.”

The council urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with the authorities while efforts were made to restore normalcy.

It, however, clarified that the curfew would not affect essential services, allowing persons and vehicles involved in such services to move during the restricted hours.

“The curfew, however, exempts movement of persons and vehicles on essential services,” the statement added.

The council appealed to residents to respect the directive and refrain from acts capable of further worsening the security situation in the local government.