Youths in Benue State on Tuesday turned October 1st into a carnival to mark Nigeria’s independence, shunning the ongoing October 1 protest.

However stern-looking policemen were stationed at various junctions within the capital city to beef up security.

Meanwhile, some youths in their hundreds thronged the major streets of the capital city, drumming and dancing.

The youths dressed In various cultural attires and danced around the major streets of the capital city.

One of the organisers, who simply identified himself as Terhile, described it as a ‘cultural festival ‘ to mark the independence.

He said, “As you can see, this is a display of a cultural festival the youths in the state decided to do to celebrate Nigeria’s Independence.

“You can see the youths dress in different cultural attires; we have Tiv, Idoma, Igede, even, Igbo attire and the masquerade symbolises part of our culture.

“We are not protesting but celebrating the independence.”

Meanwhile, the October1 protest has begun in some parts of the country including Lagos and Abuja. (The PUNCH)