Two separate communities in Nasarawa and Benue states erupted in protest on Friday after overnight attacks claimed the lives of at least six people and left several others missing, further heightening tension across the states.
In Sarkin Noma, a farming community in Keana LGA of Nasarawa, residents took to the streets at dawn, blocking the busy Lafia–Makurdi highway after suspected armed herders raided the area. Two men were reportedly killed during the attack, while an elderly resident was abducted.
The attack occurred between 11:30 p.m. and midnight, residents told Premium Times. A community youth leader, Ogu Iliya, said about 50 gunmen descended on the settlement, firing sporadically.
“This is the twelfth major attack on our community. People are afraid to return from the market after sunset. Anyone can be kidnapped or killed,” Mr Iliya said.
Angry youths used the bodies of the victims to block the highway, halting traffic for hours and demanding swift government intervention.
Police spokesperson in the state, Ramhan Nansel, confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Shettima Mohammed Jauro, led a security team to restore order.
Okada riders protest killings in Gboko
A similar demonstration erupted in Gboko, Benue State’s second-largest town, after four commercial motorcycle riders were killed overnight by gunmen who also stole their motorcycles.
Hundreds of riders gathered at major junctions from as early as 6 a.m., lighting bonfires and singing protest songs. Business activities were disrupted as many residents stayed indoors.
“This happens every week. They kill our members and take their bikes. We cannot remain silent,” one protest organiser, who asked not to be named, told Premium Times.
Chairman of Gboko LGA, Torseer Yina, condemned the killings and announced an emergency security meeting aimed at tracking down the perpetrators.
Benue Police spokesperson, Udeme Edet, said normalcy had been restored and investigations were underway.
Growing anxiety in rural communities
The two protests reflect rising frustration with what many residents say is a slow and inadequate government response to banditry, cattle-rustling, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Insecurity in rural and semi-urban settlements across the north-central region has steadily worsened, fuelled by farmer–herder tensions, weak policing capacity and patchy intelligence networks.
Security analysts warn that unless communities regain confidence in law enforcement, more spontaneous demonstrations — and possible reprisals — are likely.
For residents in Sarkin Noma and Gboko, Friday’s protests served as a public plea for protection in places where nightfall increasingly signals danger.
