Thousands of youths in Benue State have flooded the streets of Makurdi, blocking major roads at Wurukum Roundabout in a powerful demonstration against relentless attacks attributed to armed herdsmen. The protests, sparked by a deadly assault on Yelwata community along the Abuja-Keffi-Lafia-Makurdi Road on Friday night, have halted traffic on routes connecting Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and the north, east, south-south, and southwest regions.
The violence, which has displaced hundreds of thousands and left communities deserted, has fueled public outrage. Protesters are demanding an immediate end to the killings that have become a daily ordeal in the North-Central state. A helicopter was seen hovering above the demonstration as tensions ran high.
Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Emenari Ifeanyi, visited the protest site and urged calm, warning that the demonstration could distract from security efforts and “allow the enemy the opportunity to be planning.” Authorities are yet to announce further measures to address the crisis.
