Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has indefinitely suspended his Chief Press Secretary, Hon. Ukeyima John UKmoni, for participating in the #EndBenueGenocide protest despite official orders to the contrary.
The suspension was announced through a letter dated June 15, 2025, and signed by Mr. Lubem Terkura, Principal Special Assistant on Youth and Media Mobilisation.
UKmoni was accused of “working against the explicit directives” of his principal and committing “a serious breach of your duties and the trust placed in your office”.
Before the protest, UKmoni expressed his reasons for joining, citing a video of a woman who lost her children and mother in an attack, which moved him to action.
In his response to the suspension, UKmoni accepted the decision, appreciating the time he spent in the role and wishing his colleagues well.
This development comes amid ongoing violence in Benue State, where recent attacks have claimed over 100 lives, according to Amnesty International.
The suspension highlights the tension between government officials and the public’s demand for action against the killings.
