Angered by the continued wave of violence in their communities, youths in Benue State on Sunday took to the streets in protest, blocking the Abuja-Makurdi highway to demand immediate government intervention.
Hobnob News reports that the demonstrators, dressed in black and carrying palm fronds and placards with bold messages, barricaded the busy highway, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill and causing panic among commuters.
The protest comes less than 24 hours after suspected armed herdsmen carried out a deadly attack on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 people were reportedly killed in one of the bloodiest massacres in the state’s recent history.
Eyewitnesses at the scene told Hobnob News that the protesting youths blocked all lanes, refusing passage to motorists and demanding concrete action from both the state and federal governments. The situation led to a major gridlock and left many travelers stranded for hours.
The Benue State Government had earlier cautioned against unlawful protests and gatherings, particularly in the wake of escalating tensions in violence-hit areas. However, the demonstrators said they could no longer remain silent in the face of what they described as ongoing neglect and abandonment.
“We are tired of promises. People are being killed every day, and nothing is being done. We want justice, and we want it now,” one of the protesters said.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the state government or security agencies regarding the protest. The situation remains tense, with growing calls for the declaration of a state of emergency to address the security crisis in Benue State.
