Benue: Gboko Okada riders protest killing of members by suspected robbers

Palpable tension has enveloped Gboko, headquarters of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, as commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada riders, took to the streets to protest the killing of one of their members.

The protesters decried the recurring murders of their colleagues and the theft of their motorcycles by criminal elements.

The unrest broke out on Friday morning following the brutal killing of three riders by suspected robbers late on Thursday night.

In their hundreds, the enraged motorcyclists blocked major entry and exit routes, including the Gboko–Makurdi, Gboko–Katsina-Ala, and Gboko–Aliade highways, rendering vehicular movement in and out of the town nearly impossible.

Eyewitnesses reported that the protesters mounted roadblocks, burnt tyres, and chanted solidarity songs, demanding justice and urgent government intervention.

The demonstration caused severe traffic congestion in Gboko town, leaving several vehicles stranded for hours.

One of the protesters, who identified himself as Tersoo, said: “We are tired of seeing our members killed like animals. Every week, one or two of us are attacked or murdered, and nobody is saying anything.
“We want the Gov. Alia to rise up to the occasion and protect us. Enough is enough.”

Another resident, Mr John Terfa, voiced concern over the deteriorating security situation in Gboko.
“People are now afraid to move around, especially at night. Gboko used to be peaceful, but these days, robbery and killings have become too frequent. The government must act fast before things get worse,” he lamented.

Reports indicated that the victims were ambushed by unknown assailants who killed them and fled with their motorcycles. Their bodies were discovered along the Gboko–Yandev road in the early hours of Friday, sparking outrage and spontaneous protest from residents.

Tension remains high in Gboko, with residents calling on Governor Hyacinth Alia and security agencies to take decisive action to curb what many describe as the worsening insecurity in the state.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing this report.