The killing of five people in two villages in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State has provoked massive protests along Makurdi-Lafia federal highway.
Hundreds of women and youths trooped out early Friday morning to mount a roadblock on the highway from Makurdi to Lafia and Abuja.
The protesters have blocked travelers from going and coming out of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
Locals said the five people were killed in separate attacks by gunmen who attacked the rural communities of Ngban in the night killing three people Thursday night and another two at Nyian on Friday morning.
The locals said Ngban is home to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), adding that it had been attacked earlier this year when over 30 people including the IDPs were massacred.
The Guma LGA Security Adviser, Christopher Waku, confirmed the murder of the five villagers.
“Our women have trooped out to the Makurdi-Abuja federal highway since 5am today (Friday). Right now, they are singing emotional songs and no vehicle coming from either Abuja or Makurdi can pass through to either side.
“The women are protesting the murder of five people killed yesterday (Thursday) night and this morning (Friday).
“Three people were killed at Ngban yesterday night and two people 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 on the road where the women are protesting waiting for Governor Hyacinth Alia,” Waku said.
The governor was reportedly getting set to visit the scene of the protest which is about 45 minutes’ drive from Makurdi.
