Angry Benue youths, yesterday staged a protest and blocked the Abuja-Makurdi highway, expressing outrage over the continued killings in the state.
The demonstrators, dressed in black attires and carrying palm fronds and placards with various inscriptions, barricaded the ever-busy road, disrupting vehicular movement and demanding immediate action to end the bloodshed.
The protesters prevented vehicles from passing, causing gridlock and panic among commuters.
The protest comes barely 24 hours after suspected armed herdsmen launched a deadly attack on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, where over 200 people were reportedly killed.
The Benue State Government had earlier issued a warning against unlawful gatherings and confrontations, particularly by youths, in the wake of escalating tensions across affected communities.
Despite the appeal for calm, the youths said they feel abandoned and are demanding concrete security measures and justice for the victims of the attacks.
Meanwhile, of Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia yesterday said a combined team of tactical and response squads has started arriving in the state to address the ongoing security challenges.
Alia made the disclosure in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tersoo Kula, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.
The governor said the special forces and additional security deployments were for vulnerable areas.
He strongly condemned the attacks and massacre of innocent citizens at Yelwata by suspected criminal herders.
“I acknowledge and share in your pains and grief caused by these attacks on the community by criminal elements suspected to be armed herdsmen.
“The state government is consistently engaging with federal security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders to strengthen security interventions and provide lasting solutions to these persistent attacks.
“We assure citizens that more tactical teams have started arriving in Benue from the Federal Government, and additional security deployments are being arranged for vulnerable areas.
“Response squad teams are also deployed and will be in Benue from Sunday; strategic community dialogues are ongoing to enhance active intelligence sharing.
“The state’s joint operations units are also being strengthened, and the government will not relent in its utmost commitment to defending the lives and properties of all residents,” he added.
Alia further called on religious, traditional and political leaders across the state to sensitise and guide the youths under their influence against unlawful gatherings or confrontations that may spiral out of control.
The governor appealed to the public to make use of official communication channels to report any suspicious activities and to stay informed through credible sources.