Tension rose in Benue State on Sunday as angry youths staged a protest, blocking the busy Abuja-Makurdi highway. The protest was in response to a fresh wave of killings in the state, including a deadly attack in Yelewata community that claimed over 200 lives.
Dressed in black and carrying placards and palm fronds, the youths barricaded the road, causing heavy traffic and panic among travellers. They called for immediate government action and stronger security presence to stop the ongoing bloodshed.
The protesters, mostly from Guma Local Government Area, said they were tired of empty promises and felt abandoned by both state and federal authorities.
This protest comes just a day after suspected herdsmen launched a brutal assault on Yelewata, leaving hundreds dead and many others injured. The attack has renewed fears and anger in communities already struggling with insecurity.
Despite warnings from the Benue State government against unlawful protests, the youths said their actions were a cry for help and justice.
They demanded justice for the victims and urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further attacks on innocent villagers. The Abuja-Makurdi highway remained blocked for hours before security forces arrived to disperse the crowd peacefully.
Benue, a major farming state in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, has faced years of deadly clashes between armed herdsmen and farming communities, leaving thousands dead and many displaced.
