The protest that led to the blockage of the Makurdi-Lafia Federal highway has been brought under control by the Police in Benue State, according to Daily Trust.
It was gathered that on Friday morning, women and youths had taken over the major road leading in and out of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, to protest the fresh killing of five people by gunmen in two villages of Guma Local Government Area of the State.
This was made known by a local who simply identified himself as Sunny.
Sunny who spoke to The Punch correspondent on the phone said that three people were killed Thursday night at Ngban and another two at Nyian.
Confirming the report, the security officer of Guma Local Government, Christopher Waku, said that five people were killed by suspected herders.
Waku said: “Our women have trooped out to the Makurdi/Abuja federal highway since 5 am today, you can hear from the background how they are singing emotional songs and no vehicle coming from either Abuja or Makurdi can move now.
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“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 talks to them. I’m right now at the road the women are protesting waiting for governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia.”
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene, said that the protesters had been dispersed.
“I don’t have record of the killings. I only know about the protest but that has been brought under control,” Anene said.
It was gathered that Governor Hyacinth Alia had directed traditional rulers to the scene of the protest at Ortese in Nyieve, Guma LGA to talk to the protesters to vacate the road.
But, the protesters, it was learnt, refused to heed the monarchs plea on account that they voted for ‘Father” (Governor Hyacinth) and not the traditional rulers.