MAKURDI, Nigeria, April 11 (UPI) -- Protesters have blocked highways in central Nigeria demanding action in the killing of 27 farmers and the kidnapping of 17 others, officials say.
Thousands of ethnic Tivs chanting, "We are angry and our hearts are filled with blood," brought traffic in and out of the Benue state capital of Makurdi to a standstill, Leadership Newspapers reported Thursday.
Protest leader Mathew Mnyam said ethnic Fulani herdsmen and soldiers attacked several Tiv villages about 5 a.m. Wednesday, killing 27 people and kidnapping 17 others.
Mnyam said it wasn't known if the abducted villagers were still alive and called on the government to help.
The Tivs are traditional farmers. The Fulani are nomads who herd cattle, sheep and goats.
