Furious over unending bloodshed in their communities, aggrieved youths in Benue State on Sunday barricaded the Abuja-Makurdi expressway, protesting the latest wave of killings in the region.
The demonstrators, clad in black clothing and wielding palm fronds and placards bearing bold messages, obstructed traffic along the major highway, halting movement and sending shockwaves through the travelling public.
Witnesses reported that the protesters refused to allow vehicles through, triggering traffic congestion and growing tension among stranded commuters.
The protest followed a deadly incident in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area, where suspected armed herdsmen reportedly killed over 200 people in a brutal overnight raid, barely 24 hours before the protest.
While the Benue State Government had warned against unauthorized public protests and civil disturbances, especially among youths in conflict-ridden areas, the demonstrators said their action stemmed from frustration and helplessness.
“We feel abandoned by those who are supposed to protect us,” one protester said.
“We’re demanding real action, not just words. We want justice for our slain brothers and sisters.”