Protesters obstruct traffic in Benue in response to renewed violence

Residents of Gwer West Local Government Area in Benue State expressed their grievances by taking to the streets on Tuesday evening, causing a blockade on the Makurdi-Naka road.

The protest was a response to the recent killings in the area, where 26 individuals lost their lives in three different communities allegedly at the hands of suspected herdsmen.

The chairman of the Local Government Area, Henry Agba, confirmed the attacks, which began on Saturday and lasted until Monday.

Tragically, among the victims were six personnel from the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards and Livestock Guards.

The protesters, armed with placards, directed their frustration towards the state government, accusing them of failing to effectively enforce the Anti-Open Grazing Law.

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They called upon both the federal and state governments to take action in protecting the people from armed herders.

Francis Ayagah, a former local government chairman, emphasized the need for the Federal Government to prioritize the safety of the people, attributing the increased insecurity to the failure of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to enforce the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of Benue State.

Another protester, Titus Numzua, from the Seghev/Yegev Council Ward, highlighted the influx of herdsmen in the area as a contributing factor to the deteriorating security situation.

Numzua urged the government to intervene and ensure peace, while also calling on the governor to provide logistical support to security agencies.