The Acting Chairman, Guma Local Government Area of Benue, Mr Japhet Hungwa, says villagers at Ortese Village had blocked the Makurdi-Lafia highway over continuous killing of their people.
Mr Hungwa, who is the Director-General, Services and Administration (DGSA) of the LGA, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday through the telephone, that security operatives were already at the scene.
He said suspected herdsmen in the night attacked and killed three persons in Ortese Village, thereby prompting the villagers to protest and block the highway, to register their anger.
He said the whole community blocked the highway and initially said no vehicle would pass, but now demanded to see the governor.
“Herdsmen attacked and killed three persons at Ortese and the whole village this morning blocked the highway to register their anger.
“They were initially insisting that no vehicle would pass unless all of them are killed, but they have now demanded to see the governor whom I’m told is on his way,” he said.
Mr Hungwa also said while the protest was still ongoing and the road remained blocked, the herdsmen again killed additional two persons close to Daudu.
He said already the commandant, 72 Battalion, deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations and other top security personnel were on ground.
Also, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Sewuese Anene, who confirmed the road block, said the Force and other security operatives were on top of the situation.
NAN reports that the villagers have blocked the highway for over four hours as of the time of this report. (NAN)
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