Tension gripped Gboko town in Benue State on Friday as commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, staged a massive protest over the killing of some of their members by suspected robbers.
The protest erupted after three riders were reportedly murdered late Thursday night, prompting their colleagues to block major highways, including the Gboko–Makurdi, Gboko–Katsina-Ala, and Gboko–Aliade roads, disrupting vehicular movement in and out of the town.
Eyewitnesses said the protesters set up bonfires, mounted barricades, and chanted solidarity songs as they demanded justice for their slain colleagues and government intervention to address the worsening insecurity in the area.
One of the protesters, who identified himself as Tersoo, said: “We are tired of seeing our members killed like animals. Every week, one or two of us are attacked or murdered, and nobody is saying anything. We want the Gov. Alia to rise up to the occasion and protect us. Enough is enough.”
A resident, Mr. John Terfa, lamented the rising wave of criminal attacks in Gboko, saying: “People are now afraid to move around, especially at night. Gboko used to be peaceful, but these days, robbery and killings have become too frequent. The government must act fast before things get worse.”
Reports indicated that the victims were ambushed by unknown assailants who killed them and fled with their motorcycles.
Their bodies were found along the Gboko–Yandev road early Friday morning, sparking widespread anger and the subsequent protest.
As of press time, tension remained high in the town, with residents calling on Governor Hyacinth Alia and security agencies to take urgent steps to restore peace.
The spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comment.