Principal Special Assistant to the governor of Benue State on Youth and Media Mobilisation, Hon. Atu Terver Joseph has indefinitely suspended his Chief of Staff, John Ukeyima and Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Lubem Terkula, for joining a protest lead by social media activist, VeryDarkMan (VDM) to address the incessant killings in the state.
The decision was conveyed to the concerned appointees in an official letter on Sunday night.
The embattled aides who were pictured with the social media activist were accused of working against 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”.
Torrents of Benue youths staged a protest in Makurdi the state capital on Sunday to draw global attention to the incessant and deadly attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The protest was triggered by the recent attack in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area of the state where nearly 250 people were killed.
