Suspected herdsmen unleash mayhem on Benue communities, kill nine in two separate attacks
No fewer than nine people have been reportedly killed in two separate attacks on some Benue communities by suspected herdsmen late Tuesday, Val9ja News has learned.
ADVERTISEMENT
This is the latest of series of attacks on the Benue people after suspected armed herders last Saturday, reportedly invaded a village known as Imatom in Logo LGA and killed three people.
According to reports on Tuesday’s attack, the suspected herdsmen who were fully armed invaded three different communities in Logo and Gwer West Local Government Areas of the State killing five people at Mahanga and Ayilamo in Logo LGA, while four others were killed at Nagi camp, Mbachohon council ward of Gwer West LGA.
Speaking to newsmen on Wednesday, a native of Ayilamo who simply identified himself as Torkuma stated that the suspected herdsmen first attacked Mahanga community and killed two people after which they proceeded to Ayilamo community where they killed three people.
Torkuma said, “Herdsmen came at about 10 pm on Tuesday night. They attacked and killed two persons at the Mobile barracks, situated at Mahanga, near Ayilamo.
“From there, they headed to Ayilamo town, and on entering the town, the herdsmen shot and killed another 3 persons on the spot.
“Many others sustained various degrees of injury and were taken to the hospital, where they are receiving treatment.”
He further identified victims of Tuesday’s attack to include Ayev Jôgunô, Faiga Mwuese Apefan, Msendoo Tertese Vaachima, James Mhen Nyerga Iorliam, and Orgbee Mnguerorga while noting that Mrs Mngohol Igbalumun Utile, Mr. Vershima Usange Meeme, and Mrs Terpase Nyerga only sustained injuries.
Similarly, in Gwer West LGA, where suspected herders were reported to have invaded Nagi camp, Mbachohon council ward, and killed four people, a local who did not want to be mentioned told journalists that the armed herders invaded Mbachohon and killed four people.
The source said that, “the armed herders invaded Mbachohon village without any provocation and they shot sporadically by the time they left four dead bodies were found.”
Spokesperson for the Benue state Police command, Catherine Anene, who confirmed one of the incidents said five people were killed in Logo but she was yet to get a report about the attack on Mbachohon in Gwer West.
“I can confirm that five people were killed in Logo yesterday but are yet to receive information about Gwer West,” Anene said in a telephone conversation on Wednesday.
However, the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, in a statement issued Wednesday by his media aide, Kula Tersoo, confirmed the attacks on the two local government areas of the state but frowned at the nefarious activities of the herders who maimed and killed innocent people.
He said, “The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has utterly condemned the unprovoked attacks on Ayilamo and Mbachohon communities in Logo and Gwer-West Local Government Areas by suspected armed herders.
“Governor Alia frowns at the nefarious activities of the herders who maim and kill innocent Benue citizens in cold blood for reasons that are difficult to grasp and pin down.
“He said Benue is an agrarian society whose economy is largely based on producing and maintaining crops and farmlands, and “we cannot watch our people killed daily on their farmlands and their villages for a cause very unknown to us.”
“The Governor who lamented cases of alleged herdsmen attacks on Benue communities leading to loss of lives and property said he will not rest until such barbaric acts are curtailed.
The governor expressed sympathy with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the attacks and called on security agencies in the state to quickly delve into the depths of the unfortunate situations and apprehend those suspected to be behind such attacks, and bring them before the law.
Governor Alia also called on traditional rulers and youths in the state to be vigilant and report any suspicious move to security.
ADVERTISEMENT
7 months ago
aladini