Commercial motorcycle riders shut down Gboko on Friday the 7th of November, 2025, in response to the alleged killing of four colleagues whose attackers also escaped with their motorbikes.
Residents woke up to long processions of riders moving as early as 6a.m, chanting, blocking major junctions, and lighting bonfires. Movement around the town was reduced to a trickle, as shops, offices, and markets stayed closed out of fear of clashes, even though the protest did not turn violent.
One of the organisers, who declined to give his name, explained why they hit the streets. He said the security situation had worsened and that riders were becoming easy targets.
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 unrest, the Chairman of Gboko Local Government, Torseer Yina, issued a message through his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Jacob Ukpi. He condemned the killings and said immediate steps were in motion to improve security around the town.
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During an address to the riders, Yina said he had summoned an emergency security briefing to direct relevant agencies to track down the attackers. He sent condolences to the Benue Motorcycle Association and to the families affected, promising…“we will bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The Chairman also sounded a warning to those trying to take advantage of the tension in the town, stressing that Gboko has a long reputation for peace and that Okada riders have always helped security agencies with useful information. He thanked the protesters for keeping the demonstration under control and assured them of continued support.
Police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed that the streets had calmed. He said the Divisional Commander was handling the situation and that investigations had commenced to identify those behind the crimes.