The Benue State House of Assembly has called for the immediate release of 14 protesters arrested by security operatives during a demonstration over the mass killings in Yelewata community, Guma Local Government Area.

The resolution followed deliberations during plenary on Tuesday, where lawmakers also urged the state and federal authorities to step up efforts in protecting vulnerable communities from continued attacks by suspected armed herdsmen.

As previously reported by Naijaonpoint, angry youths on Sunday staged a massive protest along the Abuja-Makurdi highway, blocking traffic and wielding placards and palm fronds while dressed in black to mourn the slain villagers.

An attempt by the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Sam Ode, to address the protesters was resisted as they told him to tell the governor, Hyacinth Alia, to come personally to address them.

They were later confronted by armed policemen and soldiers who attempted to stop them, leading to an escalation and the use of tear gas on the protesters.

However, 14 persons were subsequently arrested by operatives of the Benue State Police Command during the protest.

The latest violence in Yelewata unfolded around 10 p.m. on Friday, when suspected herdsmen launched a coordinated attack on the community, leaving scores dead and many others injured.