Japhet Hungwa, the acting chairman of the Guma Local Government Area of Benue, said villagers in Ortese blocked the Makurdi-Lafia highway over the continuous killing of their people.

Mr Hungwa, the Director-General of Services and Administration (DGSA) of the LGA, told journalists on Friday through the telephone that security operatives were already at the scene.

He said suspected herdsmen attacked and killed three persons in Ortese village at night, 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 that while the protest was ongoing and the road remained blocked, the herders 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, SP Sewuese Anene, who confirmed the roadblock, said the force and other security operatives were on top of the situation.

The villagers had blocked the highway for over four hours as of the time of this report. 

(NAN)