…the protesters, mostly women, blocked the federal highway near the Agan toll gate, carrying leaves and chanting songs.
The iNews Times reports that residents of Agan community in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, took to the streets on Friday to protest the rising insecurity in their area.
The protesters, mostly women, blocked the federal highway near the Agan toll gate, carrying leaves and chanting songs to express their frustration.
Torkwase, a resident of the area, told reporters that the protest is still ongoing but remains peaceful, with security operatives already present at the scene.
“The protest is currently ongoing at Agan ward, close to the toll gate,” she said. “It is just about the insecurity going on around the area. We are tired and need the government to act fast.”
This latest protest is part of a larger pattern of unrest in Benue State, where communities have been demanding action from the government to address the growing insecurity.
In June, women in the state stormed the Government House in Makurdi, decrying persistent killings by suspected herders and bandits in their communities.
The women carried placards with inscriptions urging President Bola Tinubu to end banditry and sang dirges in their local dialect, expressing anguish over the worsening security situation.
The insecurity in Benue State has resulted in significant loss of life, with at least 160 people killed in the last month alone, including two soldiers and a police officer.
The attacks have sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for the government to take decisive action to restore peace and stability.
Chief Sebastine Hon, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has petitioned President Bola Tinubu, urging him to declare a state of military emergency in Benue State amid the escalating violence.
Hon criticized the state governor, Hyacinth Alia for downplaying the crisis and failing to respond appropriately, saying his dismissive social media responses were unhelpful and negligent of the suffering of victims.
The situation in Benue State remains dire, with many residents demanding action from the government to address the insecurity and protect their lives and property, The iNews Times reports.
