Benue youths block highway over killing of two IDPs

Irate youths in Daudu, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State in the early hours of Saturday blocked the ever busy Makurdi/Laafia federal highway.

The youths were protesting the killing of two displaced farmers by armed herders.

A youth, who identified himself as Akhir, said that the two displaced people from Garuba camp were on their way to farm on a motorcycle and were killed by suspected armed herders.

Akhir, who spoke to our correspondent on Saturday, said, “Two farmers from Garuba camp near Daudu left the camp early this morning on okada (motorcycle) and going to their farm but they were killed by herdsmen

This is what triggered the protest by youths in Daudu who thronged the Makurdi/Laafia road and displayed the corpses, calling on the government to end the killings.”

Another source in the area who spoke on condition of anonyity also that the rampaging herders attempted invading the mega Internally Displaced Persons camp but were engaged by the combined team of security personnel stationed in the area

One of the protesters who simply identified himself as Ushahemba, told journalists that the armed herders attacked the victims in their farms, killed three and took several others hostage.

He said: “Our people went to the farm this morning and at about 8:30am there were cries for help from the farms after they got attacked. There was pandemonium, people started running with their families

Three bodies have so far been recovered while search for more corpses is ongoing because several persons are still missing.

“Just yesterday two others were killed at Tse Adaa village, not far from here in neighbouring Guma LGA. The question is when will all these killings stop?”

The protest was said to have caused pains to motorists who had to wait endlessly before the Divisional Police Officer of Guma appealed to the youths to clear the road.

As of the time of filing this report, the road had been cleared for motorists.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state Command, Udeme Edet, pleaded for more time to gather details on the incident.

“Give me sometimes to gather more information on what you asked and I will get back to you,” Edet said.

The Makurdi/Laafia federal highway has witnessed several protests by youths and women due to incessant killings in the council area.

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