Tension has gripped Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State after enraged residents of Achakpa community stormed the streets in protest over a brutal attack by suspected armed herdsmen, which claimed multiple lives and left several others unaccounted for.
Hundreds of protesters gathered on Saturday and blocked the busy Makurdi–Abuja highway at the Garba–Atson–Abagena IDP camp section, causing heavy gridlock and bringing vehicular movement to a halt for several hours.
Armed with placards and tree branches, the demonstrators chanted solidarity songs, insisting they would not vacate the highway until authorities took decisive action against the attackers and ensured justice for the victims.
The deadly assault, which happened in the early hours of Saturday, September 20, on the outskirts of Achakpa community along the North Bank–Lafia road, left three men dead, including a farmer, Tor Felafa, his son, and Mr. Francis Kulegwa, a senior choirmaster at Daudu Mission under the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi.
Reports revealed that the victims were ambushed on their farmland by the assailants, who allegedly monitored their movements before striking.
Several villagers were abducted in the raid, while others narrowly escaped with their lives. Some community members remain missing as search efforts continue.
Benue State, often referred to as Nigeria’s “Food Basket,” has for years been at the center of violent clashes between farmers and herders, with frequent incidents leading to widespread killings, destruction of farmlands, and mass displacement of villagers.
Community leaders have repeatedly called on the government to deploy stronger security measures to safeguard rural communities, many of which remain easy targets for armed groups.
As at the time of filing this report, neither the Benue State Government nor the Benue State Police Command had released an official response to the incident.
For more updates, join our WhatsApp channel:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VabITrvEAKW7DSkTfP0J
Chronicles Reporters