Protesting Benue Women Block Highway After Suspected Herder Attacks

Protests erupted on the Makurdi/Laafia/Abuja federal highway as women in Benue state took to the roads to demonstrate against the recent killing of five individuals by suspected herders.

The protests, characterized by a roadblock on the major highway, were fueled by the anger and frustration over the continuous violence inflicted upon their communities.

According to a local resident named Sunny, the attacks occurred in two separate communities within the Guma Local Government area of Benue State. He stated that three people were killed in Ngban, while another two lost their lives in Nyian. The alleged involvement of suspected herders in these attacks heightened tensions and triggered the women’s decision to stage a protest.

Confirming the incidents, Christopher Waku, the security officer of Guma Local Government, acknowledged that five people had been killed by suspected herders. He revealed that the women of the affected communities took to the Makurdi/Abuja federal highway in the early morning hours, effectively disrupting traffic. Their demands were clear: they wanted the governor to address them directly and respond to their concerns.

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Waku described the scene, explaining that the protesting women had gathered on the road, singing emotional songs. Their determination to remain on the road until the governor personally addressed their grievances was evident. The situation has led to a standstill on the highway, preventing vehicles from moving in either direction between Abuja and Makurdi.

Efforts to obtain a statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, were unsuccessful as calls to her phone went unanswered. The protests highlight the mounting frustration and concerns of the local communities over the recurring violence and insecurity caused by suspected herders.