Women block Makurdi-Abuja Highway to protest against killing of 5 people by suspected herdsmen in Benue

A large number of women mounted a roadblock on Makurdi/Laafia/Abuja federal highway on Friday August 11, to protest the killing of five people by suspected herders in Benue State. 

A local who simply identified himself as Sunny, said five people were killed in separate attacks by suspected herdsmen in two communities in the Guma Local Government area of the state. 

Sunny who spoke to Punch, said that three people were killed Thursday night, August 10, 2023, at Ngban and another two at Nyian. 

It was gathered that the blockage of the highway by the protesters made it difficult for travellers to gain entry into and exit Makurdi, the state capital.

Confirming the report, the security officer of Guma Local Government, Christopher Waku, said that five people were killed by suspected herders. 

“Our women have trooped out to the Makurdi/Abuja federal highway since 5 am today, you can hear from the background how they are singing emotional songs and no vehicle coming from either Abuja or Makurdi can move now. The women are protesting the killing of five people yesterday (Thursday) night and this morning (Friday),” he said.

 

“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. I’m right now at the road the women are protesting waiting for governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia.”