Four Okada riders killed in Gboko as protest erupts across Benue town

Commercial motorcycle riders on Friday shut down Gboko, the traditional headquarters of Tiv land in Benue State, in a massive protest against the alleged killing of four of their members by armed assailants.

The attackers were said to have ambushed the riders on Thursday night, murdered them, and carted away their motorbikes — sparking outrage among members of the Benue Motorcycle Association.

As early as 6 a.m., hundreds of riders poured into the streets in long convoys, chanting solidarity songs, burning tyres, and blocking major roads across the town. The protest, though largely peaceful, brought social and economic activities to a halt as residents and traders stayed indoors for fear of escalation.

One of the protesting riders, who declined to be named, said the demonstration was a cry for help to draw the attention of authorities to their worsening security situation.

“Attacks on Okada riders have become a daily occurrence in Gboko. Last night alone, four of our members were killed and their bikes taken. This is what we use to feed our families. Many of us are graduates with no jobs. We bought these bikes through sweat, some on hire purchase, and now we are being killed for them,” he lamented.

He added that the continuous killings had left many families destitute.

“For every Okada rider murdered, several family members are thrown into suffering because the breadwinner is gone or his only source of livelihood is snatched,” he said.

Responding to the development, the Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area, Hon. Torseer Yina, condemned the killings and assured the protesters that decisive steps were being taken to restore safety in the area.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Jacob Ukpi, the Chairman said he had convened an emergency security meeting and directed security agencies to go after those behind the attacks.

“We will not allow criminals to take over Gboko. I have instructed security operatives to apprehend the perpetrators immediately. We will bring them to justice,” he assured.

Yina commiserated with the leadership of the Benue Motorcycle Association and families of the deceased riders, urging members to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their hands.

He also warned those allegedly sponsoring violence in Gboko to desist, noting that the town has a long-standing reputation for peace and communal cooperation.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the incident, adding that normalcy had been restored to the affected areas.

“The situation is under control. The Divisional Police Officer and tactical teams have been deployed. The Commissioner of Police has ordered a full investigation into the killings,” Edet stated.

Residents, however, continue to express concern over the growing insecurity in Gboko and other parts of the state, calling for more visible police presence and stricter enforcement against banditry and motorcycle theft.