There was pandemonium in the state capital as the youths smashed vehicles, manhandled innocent people and shot others.
The residents and business owners hurriedly closed their shops and ran home for fear of unknown.
The protests which caught many unaware started simultaneously at 9:30 a.m. in Wadata, Wurukum, Northbank and Angwan – Jukun areas, all in Makurdi town.
These areas are mostly populated by Hausa- Fulani people.
At Wadata, the Hausa youths barricaded the busy Ankpa quarters junction and smashed over 15 vehicles and wounded many passengers until a team of policemen arrived the scene.
They carried out their operation up to Madikpo and Dele Bookshop.
But their attempt to break into Igbo electronic shops and cart away good was met with a stiff resistance from the traders and fight broke out.
All the shops in Makurdi were shut and traders, mostly Igbos formed groups and keep watch over them to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage.
Unconfirmed government source alleged that there was a grand plot to unleash mayhem in the state and forced the government to declare a state of emergency.
The state Governor, Samuel Ortom, through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, condemned the riots and asked security agents to arrest the suspects.
