Benue Protesters Block Makurdi-Gboko Highway Over Abducted Mourners

Protesters in Benue State have blocked the busy Makurdi-Gboko Highway at Tyomu community, near the Air Force Base in Makurdi, the state capital, demanding the release of at least four family members abducted while travelling to Kogi State for a burial ceremony.

The protesters, mostly women and youths, said the mourners were abducted along the Adoka-Ankpa Road at the weekend.

The demonstration temporarily caused gridlock on the highway before the protesters opened the road following the intervention of officials of the Benue State Government.

One of the protesters, who identified himself only as Terna, told LEADERSHIP that the community would resume the protest if the abducted persons were not rescued.

“Today’s protest is a warning, and if those community members who were abducted in Adoka-Ankpa on their way to Kogi State for a burial are not rescued or released, we will resume another round of protest,” he said.

Addressing the protesters, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on External Security, Col. Alexander Ashungu (rtd.), and the Chairman of Makurdi Local Government Area, Joseph Lafia, appealed to them to reopen the highway to allow free movement of vehicles.

The protesters subsequently complied and opened the road.

The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu Orchia, confirmed the abduction but said the command could not verify the number of mourners abducted while travelling to Kogi State.

He assured that police operatives were working to secure the safe release of the victims.

Parts of Benue State, particularly the southern axis, have recorded cases of abductions and killings attributed to suspected bandits, with several communities affected by the attacks.