Armed police officers on Sunday fired teargas at angry youths who have taken to Abuja-Makurdi highway in Benue to express their anger over incessant killings in the State.
Dressed in black and wielding palm fronds and placards with various inscriptions, the demonstrators barricaded the busy road, disrupting the flow of traffic while demanding an end to the bloodshed.
The protest resulted in panic among commuters as vehicles were prevented from passing the route.
The development comes 24 hours after a deadly attack was launched by suspected herdsmen on Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area, resulting in the killing of over 200 people.
Armed police officers stormed the venue of the protest and fired teargas cannisters at the protesters.
It’s unclear if anyone was injured by the cannisters as the protesters were dispersed by the battle-ready police officers.
A warning had been given by the Benue government against unlawful gatherings and confrontations, particularly by youths amid escalating tensions in the affected communities, but the angry youths said they felt abandoned.
The protesters also called for concrete security measures and justice for the victims of the attacks. (Sunday Sun)
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