Benue Massacre: Gov Alia’s PSA Fires Chief Of Staff, CPS For Participating In Protest

Hon. Atu Terver Joseph, Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on Youth and Media Mobilization, has dismissed his Chief of Staff, Mr. John Ukeyima, and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Lubem Terkula, for protesting the ongoing killings in the state.

In a letter sent to both aides on Sunday night, Terver accused them of acting against the interests of the state government.

The letter reads, “This letter serves as formal notification of your immediate and indefinite suspensions from your position as Chief of Staff and Chief press secretary, effective today, June 14, 2025.

“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”.

Hundreds of youths in Benue staged a protest on Sunday in Makurdi, the state capital, to draw international attention to the ongoing deadly attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The demonstration was sparked by a recent assault on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, where nearly 250 people lost their lives.