Protesters Block Makurdi-Lafia Highway, Accuse Soldiers of Protecting Attackers
By Mike Odeh James and Ekani Olikita
(Makurdi) Hundreds of furious Yelewata mothers blocked the Makurdi-Lafia Highway Monday, August 11, 2025, heaping scorn on the Nigerian Army garrison that stood down again this morning, allowing three local farmers to be gunned down without a pursuit. The mothers demanded they leave town immediately. Within hours, they did.
They were shouting, chanting and weaping for three hours after three unarmed neighbors were shot down by 15 Fulani terrorists just a short walk from the highway. Just two months ago, these women buried more than 260 victims of the Yelewata atrocity of June 13-14.
The victims were identified as Peter Shinku, Tyoalumun Igyor Anya, and Moyolga Udegi. Three others — David Mondu, Orkuuga Kanyi (Area), and Nguevese Amaki — sustained life-threatening injuries and were evacuated to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
As the three unarmed farmers leaned into their work in fields ready to harvest, the Fulani mercenaries shot them at 7:15 a.m. EDT just 500 meters from the Forward Operation Base (FOB). The killings prompted Yelewata women to grab branches from trees and mass on the federal highway, demanding the soldiers get out of town.
The protesting women could be heard chanting:
“We don’t want the military here! Let them leave and allow mobile policemen to protect us.”
Yelewata, an agrarian and predominantly Christian community located 55 km north of Makurdi in Benue State, was thrown into turmoil on June 13 and 14, 2025, following the massacre of more than 260 Christian residents by Fulani militants.
Yelewata Residents Speak
Mr. Thomas Ukumba, a Yelewata elder who was in tears, confirmed the latest killings to TruthNigeria, saying he supports the women’s demand for the military to leave their land.
“The shooting began at about 7:15 a.m. by a group of about 15 Fulani jihadists who were speaking Hausa and Fulfude and shouting ‘Allahu Akbar,’ shooting anyone on sight,” Ukumba told TruthNigeria.
“Our people are being killed every day despite the military presence in our community. What is the essence of having the military here if they cannot protect us?” he went on to say. “Our people have stopped going to their distant farms for fear of being killed. Now the terrorists are even coming into our little farms inside our compounds to kill us.”
Military Stood Down During Attack
The commander of the Forward Operation Base was informed while the attack was ongoing but said they could not respond because they had not received orders to pursue the attackers, according to Ukumba.
Some Mobile Police operatives later visited the scene but met only corpses and injured survivors, as the assailants had already fled.
Family Members of the Victims Speak Out
Prince Isaka Aondoana, former Senior Special Assistant to the former Governor of Benue State on Youth Mobilization, and brother to three of the slain victims, confirmed the incident.
“Fulani terrorists, numbering more than 15, arrived at our farm close to our house and started shooting sporadically. Three of my siblings — Peter Shinku, Tyoalumun Igyor Anya, and Moyolga Udegi — were gunned down. Three others were injured and are currently in hospital.
The military in our community are not helping us. They were around when the attack started but didn’t react. They are here only to protect Fulani terrorists. That is why our women are blocking the highway right now.”
“Military Should Leave Our Land Now” — Mrs. Janet
Mrs. Janet Tersoo, one of the protesting women, told TruthNigeria:
“We are calling on the Federal Government to remove the military detachment from our community and replace them with mobile police since they cannot protect us. We will continue to block the federal highway until our demand is met.”
Benue Diaspora Reacts
Barrister Franc Utoo, a Yelewata native living in the United States, backed the women’s action.
“The presence of the military has not stopped the killings. Instead, they have disarmed Yelewata residents, leaving them vulnerable to the Fulani. Since July 3, over 100 persons have been murdered here, yet the military have not stopped or killed any of the terrorists.”
“The Mobile Police Force and local Vigilantes (volunteer guards) can handle the terrorists, Utoo said.
Military Leaves Yelewata Base
As of press time, the soldiers were seen withdrawing while Mobile Police operatives took positions — signaling an operational changeover. Local observers credited the women’s refusal to end their protest with compelling the military to depart from the FOB.
Police Statement
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, CSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the attack:
“Yes, three persons were killed during the attack and others sustained injuries. We are on top of the situation.”
Mike Odeh James and Ekani Olikita are Conflict Reporters for TruthNigeria.
