Angry youths took to the streets of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Sunday to protest the growing insecurity and frequent killings in the state.
According to The PUNCH, the demonstrators dressed in black and wielding palm fronds and placards with bold inscriptions, barricaded the busy Wurukum area, disrupting traffic and demanding urgent government intervention.
Eyewitnesses reported that the protest, which drew a large crowd, brought vehicular movement to a standstill as the demonstrators chanted slogans calling for an end to the bloodshed.
Despite the presence of security personnel in the area, the protest went ahead peacefully but caused significant panic among commuters.
One of the protesters, Ternenge Iorver, who spoke to journalists, said the youths were tired of burying their loved ones every week.
“We can’t continue like this. Every day, people are being killed in Guma, Gwer West, Apa, and many other places. The government must act now or we will continue to speak out,” he said.
The demonstration comes in the wake of yet another brutal attack on Saturday, where suspected armed herders reportedly invaded Yelwata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area, allegedly killing scores of residents, including some security operatives.
Another protester, Doosuur Aondofa, called on both the state and federal governments to step up their efforts in protecting citizens.
“Enough is enough. We’re tired of promises and press releases. We want to live in peace, not in fear,” she stated.
The protest highlights the growing frustration among residents of Benue State over persistent attacks, particularly those linked to herder-farmer conflicts. Calls have intensified for both proactive security operations and justice for the victims.
