Youths in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, staged a large-scale protest on Sunday, demanding urgent action from authorities following the latest wave of deadly attacks that claimed over 100 lives in Yelewata, Saidu, and other communities.
Clad in black attire as a symbol of mourning, the demonstrators carried placards, leaves, and banners as they gathered as early as 7 a.m. at the main gate of Moses Orshio University (formerly Benue State University) along the Makurdi-Gboko Road.
The protest later moved to the Wurukum Roundabout, a major intersection that links the northern and southern regions of the country.
There was a heavy deployment of security personnel, including anti-riot police officers and armed soldiers. Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were stationed at strategic points around the city to forestall any potential breakdown of order.
Despite the visible tension, the protest remained peaceful throughout the day.
The demonstrators surrounded the iconic Food Basket statue at the roundabout, chanting solidarity messages such as “Stop Benue killings!” and calling for an end to what they described as persistent and targeted violence in their communities.
The protest was sparked by an overnight attack on Saturday, reportedly carried out by suspected herdsmen, which left dozens dead and several others injured in Yelewata and Saidu.
The assault has intensified fears among residents and renewed calls for stronger government intervention.
Among the protesters was Mzamber Agatha, who recounted her personal tragedy, revealing that her mother and five children were among those killed in the latest massacre.
She appealed to the federal government to urgently address the security crisis and ensure justice for the victims.
Local and national authorities have yet to issue a detailed response to the incident as of the time of filing this report.
