Anti-Terrorism Protesters Shut Down Nigerian Highway
- TruthNigeria
- Sep 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 1
As Fulani Terrorists Kill Catholic Choir Master, 12 Christians
By Ekani’s Olikita
(Makurdi) Angry Protesters on Saturday, September 20, 2025, blocked the Makurdi-Lafia-Abuja Federal Highway over the killing of 13 Christians in Benue State.
Similar killings a month ago compelled Yelewata women to block the same Federal highway, after 270 local people were brutally murdered by Fulani ethnic militia June 13-14.
These incidents are also coming a week after similar killings of 11 Christians across Benue Communities by Fulani Jihadists.
Benue State, populated by 4.3 million, is an agrarian and predominantly Christian State whose native residents reportedly are 95 percent Catholic, located in the Middle belt region of Nigeria.
The state has come under frequent attacks, kidnappings and killings since 2013 by Fulani ethnic militia, whose leadership has never been identified by federal officials or by Nigerian media. The Fulani tribe is known across West Africa for cattle-herding and linkage to regional jihad wars. According to the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA), the Fulani ethnic militia have caused 55,000 deaths from 2019 to 2023.
Renewed Violence Across Makurdi and Guma Counties
New attacks in Makurdi and Guma counties of Benue State by armed Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM took place between September 8 and September 20, according to residents speaking to TruthNigeria.
Saturday Attack Sparks Protest
In the latest attack that ignited protest that shut down the Makurdi-Lafia-Abuja Federal Highway on Saturday, September 20, a choir master with Daudu Catholic Mission, identified as Francis Kulegwa, a Christian farmer, Tor Felafa and his son, Tersoo Felafa were ambushed and gruesomely slashed to death by a group 10 Fulani terrorists while on their way to their rice farms located in Makurdi near its border with Daudu in Guma county at about 8:30 local time (7:40 GMT).
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) stood or sat down blocking the Makurdi-Lafia-Abuja alongside three corpses of victims earlier killed earlier in the day.
“Most of us here are internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fromAbegana IDPs Camp. Every one of us here has lost at least a loved one and killing of our people is still continuing unabated,” according to Mrs. Ngunan Yina, a protesting woman and a mother of two in an interview with TruthNigeria. She angrily condemned almost daily killing of their people, saying she wouldn’t leave until Governor Hyacinth Alia would address them.
“Apart from the endless killings, we are hungry,” Yina said. “We no longer get food supplies at the IDPs Camp,” she added.
“We are tired of staying in the IDPs Camps, but we have nowhere to go because Fulani terrorists have destroyed everything in our community, and it is not safe to return home,” she went on to say.
“We shall remain here until Governor comes and address us”, she said.
“We Hear You” – Government Spokesman
Emberga Alfred, Speaker of the Benue State House of Parliament assured the angry protesters on behalf of the State Government of quick end to the terrorist attacks ravaging the State.
“Your message has been heard,” Alfred said. “The State government is also saddened by the relentless killing of our people and has already taken action to quickly end the killings. Other of your demands will also be attended to. Please, allow free vehicular movement!”
The protesters were seen leaving after the state legislator’s speech.
Other Ethno-Religious Cleansing Across Communities in Guma County
Earlier on Friday, September 19, 2025, two Christian farmers were killed by 6 jihadists speaking Fulfulde (Fulani language) and chanting “Allahu Akbar” at Tse-Adaa village in Guma County (Local Government Area). Several residents were declared missing after the attack.
In Tse-Asha, approximately 10 armed militants shouting “Allahu Akbar” attacked residents on September 16, slashing a middle-aged woman, Ngueren Akpela to death.
Along the dreaded Ukpiam-Umenger road in Mbabai Council Ward on September 15, approximately 15 militants killed four Christian traders returning from Daudu market. Victims included Chiave Samson, Terngu Tersoo, Aondowase Kor, and Terhide Kaha, who was slashed beyond recognition.
Fulani Jihadists Decapitate Farmer
In Tse-Akor Gbatse on September 13, five militants decapitated Tachia Akor, a farmer. His wife and another resident, Mrs. Mbagbedi Tsetim, sustained life-threatening injuries and are receiving medical care at Adi Clinic in Daudu, according to a Facebook report.
Earlier, on September 8, militants murdered Orbatule Adeor and his 10-year-old brother, Msughter Bokyaa Adeor, while they were harvesting pepper in Tse-Avine Village.
Community Leaders Speak Out
Tivta Samuel, Guma Youth Leader, described the attacks as part of a renewed campaign of ethnic and religious violence.
“In just one week, eight people were killed across four communities. Residents in Yogbo, Udei, Yelewata, Ngban, Ukohol, Igyungu, Aze, Ukpiam, and nearby North Bank can no longer access their farms,” he said.
Elder Avine Terna of Tse-Avine said the attacks had become a recurring nightmare. “The persistence of killings despite government assurances leaves our people feeling abandoned. Each time we are attacked, the killers return. Our people are dying every day.”
Rising Death Toll and Lack of Prosecution
Amnesty Internationalreports that 6,896 people have been killed in Benue and 2,630 in Plateau State during the first two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Massacres in the Middle Belt have continued for more than 14 years without prosecution or conviction. This is why the killers feel emboldened,” according to Franc Utoo, a human rights lawyer and Yelewata native, speaking to TruthNigeria.
The attacks have displaced hundreds of residents, leaving communities with deserted schools, farms, and markets, and worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.
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