ension escalated across Benue State on Sunday as outraged youths staged a large-scale protest, blocking the Abuja-Makurdi highway in response to a series of deadly attacks attributed to suspected armed herdsmen.
Dressed in black attire — a symbol of mourning — and carrying placards with emotional appeals and palm fronds, the demonstrators barricaded the strategic highway, effectively halting traffic and causing a major gridlock on one of Nigeria’s busiest transit corridors.
Protest Follows Fresh Massacre in Yelewata Community
The protest erupted less than 24 hours after a deadly night assault on Yelewata, a rural community in Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 residents were reportedly killed in a brutal attack by suspected herdsmen on Friday night at about 10:00 pm.
According to early reports, 16 villagers sustained serious injuries, while the exact number of fatalities remains unconfirmed as emergency responders and security forces work to retrieve bodies and account for the victims.
Security Forces Ambushed En Route to Rescue Operation
Responding to a distress call, a joint team of the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attempted to reach the beleaguered community. However, they were ambushed in Daudu, a nearby area along their route, in a tragic twist that left two soldiers and one Civil Defence officer dead.
The ambush of security forces has further intensified public anger, fueling accusations of government inaction and security failure in the region.
Youths Demand Justice, End to Killings
The protesting youths, visibly enraged and grief-stricken, chanted slogans demanding justice for the slain villagers and called for urgent intervention from the federal government and security agencies. Several placards read: “Stop the Genocide in Benue,” “Our Lives Matter,” and “End Herdsmen Killings Now.”
“We are tired of burying our loved ones. We demand security and justice. The government must act now,” a protest leader told local media during the highway blockade.
Insecurity Crisis Deepens in Nigeria’s Middle Belt
This latest tragedy underscores the growing insecurity across Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, where clashes between armed herders and farming communities have claimed thousands of lives in recent years. Benue State, known as the “Food Basket of the Nation,” remains one of the hardest-hit by these recurring attacks.
Government Yet to Issue Official Casualty Figures
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Government and federal security agencies have not released official casualty figures from the Yelewata massacre. However, community leaders say the death toll could rise as more bodies are discovered in surrounding bushes.
Why This Matters
The blockade of the Abuja-Makurdi expressway, a vital link between northern and central Nigeria, signals a new level of public frustration over the government’s handling of the herder-farmer crisis. With anger boiling over and trust in state protection waning, civil unrest in Benue may continue to escalate unless swift and decisive action is taken.
