Benue youths block highway over killing of two IDPs

Benue gov, Alia

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. Punch