Benue women and youths, numbering over 100, have taken to the streets on Friday in protest, blocking the Makurdi/Lafia federal highway to express their anger over the recent killing of five people in a suspected attack by herders.
The women, who were carrying fresh leaves and chanting emotional songs in Tiv, blocked the highway at the Gyungu Ortese axis, Sunnews report.
As a result of the protest, travellers were stranded on the highway as no vehicles were able to enter or leave Makurdi, the capital of Benue State.
It was reported that the victims were killed in separate attacks by the assailants who besieged the sleepy rural communities of Ngban where they killed three people on Thursday night and another two at Nyian on Friday morning.
Confirming the report, the security officer of Guma local government, Christopher Waku said that five people were killed by herders.
Waku said, “Our women have trooped out to the Makurdi/Abuja federal highway since 5am today, you can hear from background how they are singing emotional songs and no vehicle coming from either Abuja or Makurdi can move now.
“The women are protesting the killing of five people yesterday (Thursday) night and this morning (Friday).”
He added, “Three people were killed at Ngban yesterday night and two people killed at Nyian this morning, the women have said that they are not going to leave the road until the governor comes and talk to them.
“Am right now at the road the women are protesting waiting for governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia to come and address them.”