5 hours ago
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Commercial motorcycle operators on Friday, brought Gboko, an ancient town in Benue State, to a standstill as they staged a massive protest against the alleged killing of four of their colleagues by gunmen who also made away with their motorcycles.
The protesters, who stormed the streets as early as 6a.m, moved in long convoys, chanting war songs and setting up bonfires at strategic points across the town.
Their demonstration created tension as many residents stayed indoors, with shops, markets, and offices remaining closed out of fear of possible violence.
Despite the charged atmosphere, the protest was largely peaceful.
Speaking anonymously, one of the protest leaders said the group had no option but to take to the streets to draw attention to the growing insecurity faced by commercial motorcyclists in Gboko.
According to him, “the attack on Okada riders and snatching of our bikes in Gboko has become a daily occurrence. Last night, they killed about four of our members and took away their bikes. This is the business we do to feed our families. Many of us are graduates who have no jobs but have taken to riding an Okada to keep life going.
“What is our sin? They kill our members and snatch their bikes. You can imagine how much a motorbike costs on the market. After suffering to purchase it, sometimes on hire purchase, they attack and take them away.
We are tired, that is why we are on the streets today to seek the protection of our members and colleagues, because for every attack and murder of an okada rider, several family members are rendered helpless because a breadwinner is murdered or his source of livelihood is taken away.”
Reacting to the protest, the Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area, Torseer Yina, through his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Jacob Ukpi, strongly condemned the killings and assured that steps were being taken to safeguard Okada riders and other residents.
Addressing the aggrieved motorcyclists, Yina revealed that he had convened an emergency security meeting to direct security agencies to fish out those behind the attacks.
He sympathized with the Benue Motorcycle Association and the families of the deceased, promising…“we will bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The Chairman also warned individuals allegedly fueling unrest in the town, reminding them of Gboko’s long-standing reputation for peace and the supportive role Okada riders have played in maintaining security.
He commended the association for maintaining calm during the demonstration and pledged his continuous support for their welfare and safety.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed that normalcy had been restored to the area.
He added that the Divisional Commander was fully aware of the situation and that investigations were already underway to uncover those responsible.
Benue okada riders shut down Gboko, protest over killing of four members
