Benue Youths Protest, Block Abuja-Makurdi Highway Over Continued Killings

Youths in Benue State on Saturday staged a major protest against the ongoing killings in the state, barricading the Abuja-Makurdi highway and halting traffic on the vital interstate route.

The protest, which began early in the morning, drew hundreds of young people from communities affected by violence, particularly in Guma, Ukum, Logo, and Agatu local government areas.

The demonstrators carried placards with inscriptions such as “Enough is Enough,” “Stop Killing Our People,” and “Benue Lives Matter,” as they demanded urgent action from the federal government and security agencies.

Motorists and travelers were stranded for hours, as both lanes of the highway were blocked. Some commuters reportedly turned back in frustration, while others remained stuck as negotiations between the protesters and security forces dragged on.

One of the protest leaders, Terhemba Aondover, told reporters that the action was triggered by the failure of the government to stop the recurring bloodshed in the state.

He accused security agencies of abandoning rural communities to the mercy of armed attackers.

“We are tired of mass burials. We are tired of being killed in our homes and on our farms. If the government cannot protect us, then we will shut down this road until something is done,” he said.

Another protester, Veronica Iorliam, a student, said the people of Benue had endured enough. She revealed that two of her relatives were recently killed in a night attack on their village and lamented the lack of response from authorities.

Security personnel, including police and soldiers, later arrived at the scene in an attempt to disperse the demonstrators and restore order. As of press time, the highway remained blocked, although efforts were underway by community elders and civil society groups to mediate and persuade the protesters to reopen the road.

A senior official from the Benue State Government, who declined to be named, said the protest was a reflection of growing frustration in the state. He added that the government had repeatedly appealed to the federal authorities to take more decisive action to halt the killings.

There has been no official statement yet from the federal government or security agencies concerning the protest.