Protest Erupts on Makurdi-Lafia Highway After Murder of Five in Benue State Villages
An alarming incident of murder in two villages within the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State has triggered a massive protest along the Makurdi-Lafia federal highway.
The brutal killings of five individuals have led hundreds of women and youths to block the road early on Friday morning.
The protesters are demanding justice and accountability for the heinous acts that have shattered their communities.
According to witnesses on the scene, the protesters have maintained their roadblock, causing travel disruptions for those attempting to enter or exit Makurdi, the capital of Benue State.
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The surge of demonstrators, comprised mainly of women and youths, underscores the intensity of public outrage over the tragic events that transpired.
Reports indicate that the assailants carried out separate attacks in the rural communities of Ngban and Nyian. Three individuals lost their lives in the attack on Ngban on Thursday night, while two more were killed in Nyian on Friday morning.
The village of Ngban, which hosts Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), had already suffered a tragic incident earlier in the year, during which over 30 individuals, including IDPs, were ruthlessly hacked to death by attackers.
Christopher Waku, the Security Adviser of the Guma Local Government Area, corroborated the villagers’ accounts. He informed the media in Makurdi that the women had gathered on the Makurdi-Abuja federal highway since 5 am on Friday, determined to draw attention to the brutal murders.
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Waku stated that the women were singing emotional songs and had resolved not to vacate the road until Governor Hyacinth Alia addressed their concerns.
“The women are protesting the murder of five people killed yesterday (Thursday) night and this morning (Friday). Three people were killed at Ngban yesterday night and two people killed at Nyian this morning.
The women have said that they are not going to leave the road until the governor comes and talks to them,” Waku explained.
Governor Hyacinth Alia is preparing to visit the site of the protest, which is approximately a 45-minute drive from Makurdi township.
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The governor’s presence is anticipated to address the protesters’ grievances and provide reassurance to the affected communities in the face of this distressing incident.
The protest serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for security measures to be bolstered, ensuring the safety and well-being of the people of Benue State.
