Women from the Agan community in Makurdi, Benue State, blocked the Makurdi-Lafia highway to protest growing insecurity and alleged indiscriminate arrests by security operatives. The women claimed they have been living in fear since last month’s attack on the community and surrounding areas. They have reportedly been abandoning their homes at night, patrolling the major road with their children to stay safe.
The protesters also expressed concern over what they described as a disturbing pattern of arrests by security forces, alleging that innocent people are being targeted instead of the armed herders responsible for repeated attacks in the area. The demonstration caused traffic disruptions as the women chanted slogans and demanded urgent intervention from the state and federal governments.
The Benue State police command has cautioned against the protest, stating that it distracts from ongoing operations to clamp down on criminals. They requested that the public provide useful information to the police rather than engage in protests.
