… Gov Alia Condemns Attacks, Urges security agents to arrest attackers
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Suspected armed Fulani herders, late hours of Tuesday, launched simultaneous attacks on Ayilamo community near Mobile Barracks settlement in Logo local government area and Mbachohon community of Gwer west local government area of Benue State.
The attackers killed nine persons and injuried several others.
The Network gathered that the attackers stormed the two communities at about 10:8pm and 10:30 pm respectively and started shooting sporadically till early hours of Wednesday.
An indigene of Ayilamo community, Mr. Emma Ujah, in a text message to our correspondent in Makurdi, said the attacks left some people with degrees of bullet wounds while the whereabouts of others are unknown..
He gave the names of victims killed during the attacks to includes; Ayev Jôgunô(Mbavihi—Mbazar), Faiga Mwuese Apefan(a k.a. Sixteen Sixteen)(Mbazar), Msendoo Tertese Vaachia(Mbagum) and James Mhen Nyerga Iorliam(Tse-Ihyôôn—Iwendyer) and Orgbee Mnguerorga(Tse-Nyajo—Mbaiwem).
Mr. Ujah said those discovered with bullet wounds so far include Mrs Mngohol Igbalumun Utile(Mbaidyo), Mr Vershima Usange Meeme(Saghev—Nongov) and Mrs Terpase Nyerga(Tse-Ihyôôn—Iwendyer).
A community leader, Anawa Joseph who also confirmed the attacks, said the killings of people in Logo local government area by suspected herders have assumed a dangerous dimensions.
According to him, just last Saturday, at about 9 pm, suspected Fulani herders killed three young men at Imatom village Square near Chembe, Ukemberagya, Logo Local Government of Benue State
He disclosed that their corpses were deposited at NKST hospital morgue, Anyiin awaiting burial before Wednesday’s attacks.
He called on the government to swing into action to stop these mindless killings.
“All these renewed attacks and killings without any provocation are aimed at displacing the peasant farmer in order to pave the way for cattle to graze on their crops which are yet to be harvested”, Anawa stated.
An eye witness from Mbachohon community who did not want to be mentioned in print , told our correspondent on the phone that the unprovoked attack claimed four lives.
According to him, the attackers stormed the village between 10:30 pm and midnight of Wednesday, killed 4 people while others are still missing.
He gave the name of victims asJoe Igba, Nyali Akula, Tarvihi and Tyozenda Orkoh
Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer SP Sewuese Anene confirmed the attacks.
SP Anene in a text message sent to our correspondent said investigation has commenced to fish out the attackers.
Meanwhile, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia has condemned the unprovoked attacks on Ayilamo and Mbachohon communities in Logo and Gwer-West Local Government Areas by the suspected herders.
Governor Alia frowns at the nefarious activities of the herders who maim and kill innocent Benue citizens in cold blood for reasons which 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 would not rest until such barbaric acts are curtailed.
The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, recalled that last night, there were twin attacks in the state.
He said while one happened at Ayilamo, another took place at Mbalam, Mbachohon Council ward of Gwer-West by persons also suspected to be armed cattle herders.
While sympathizing with the families of those who lost their loved ones in these attacks, Governor Alia called on security agencies in the state to apprehend those suspected to be behind such attacks and bring them before the law.
He called on traditional rulers and youths in the state to be vigilant and report any suspicious move to security agencies.