Thousands of protesters in Benue State have taken to the High Way in the centre of the capital, Makurdi, in protest of killings in Nigeria’s North-Central state.
Access to all four roads that converge on Wurukum Roundabout, which feeds traffic to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, as well as north east, south south and south west are blocked to traffic as a result of the protests.
They are protesting killings by armed herdsmen, which have become a daily occurrence in the state. Hundreds of thousands have been displaced due to the attacks with herdsmen occupying the deserted communities and households.
Dozens were killed in a Friday night attack on Yelwata, a Benue community on Abuja- Keffi -Lafia – Makurdi Road, prompting the instant protests.
A helicopter hovers above as the protests proceeds on the ground.
The protesters are demanding an end to the killings.
Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, CP Emenari Ifeanyi, who was at the scene of the protest, appeals for calm.
He spoke with journalists briefly and suggested that the protest may divert attention and “allow the enemy the opportunity to be planning.”
