Tension in Benue: Youths Protest, Block Abuja–Makurdi Highway Over Renewed Killings

Widespread tension gripped Benue State on Sunday as enraged youths took to the streets and blocked the Abuja–Makurdi expressway, voicing their frustration over the recurring killings plaguing the region.

Clad in black garments, the protesters wielded palm fronds and displayed placards with strong messages as they obstructed the major highway, halting the free flow of vehicles. Their action caused heavy traffic congestion and widespread concern among travelers caught in the chaos.

According to reports from LMSINT MEDIA, demonstrators refused to let any vehicles pass through, intensifying gridlock and raising fears among road users.

This protest erupted just a day after a suspected armed herdsmen attack devastated Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, resulting in the reported deaths of over 200 individuals. The scale of the violence has sparked outrage and renewed calls for urgent government intervention.

Despite recent warnings issued by the Benue State Government discouraging illegal gatherings and public unrest—especially by young people—following rising communal tensions, the protesting youths insisted that they felt neglected by the authorities. They demanded clear and effective security measures, along with justice for those killed.

Their message was clear: Benue communities need protection, accountability, and a lasting solution to ongoing violence.