The Principal Special Assistant to the Governor of Benue State on Youth And media Mobilization, Hon. Atu Terver Joseph, has dismissed his Chief of Staff, Mr. John Ukeyima, and Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Lubem Terkula, for participating in a protest against the ongoing killings in the state.
In a letter dated Sunday night, Terver accused the two aides of undermining the state government’s position by joining the protest.
“This letter serves as formal notification of your immediate and indefinite suspensions from your positions as Chief of Staff and Chief Press Secretary, effective June 14, 2025,” the letter stated.
“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.”
The dismissals followed a mass protest by hundreds of youths in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Sunday. The demonstrators called global attention to repeated deadly attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The protest was sparked by a recent massacre in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area, where nearly 250 people were reportedly killed.
