21 Killed In Attacks On Benue Communities By Suspected Fulani Herdsmen

Separate attacks on Benue communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen claimed 21 lives over the weekend.

The Benue communities that were attacked include Apera, Gberija, Tse Pilla, Uchagh, Ukaha, Atenger, Agema and Agule in Guma where six persons were killed while another 15 were killed at Oguchi-Ankpa in Agatu local government area by the invaders.

A source from Guma local government council said, “They marched into our villages from Awe in Nasarawa State and passed through Damko before invading and burning down eight villages in Guma local government.

“Unfortunately, the herdsmen stormed the affected villages when most men had gone to their farms and since we thought that the persistent crisis had been settled by both the Benue and Nasarawa state governments, we were not prepared for the surprise attack.

“They killed six of our people who were mostly women, because they were at home preparing meals for their husbands and children who had gone to their farms at the time of the attack.

“Several persons were seriously injured while many are still missing as at today and no one has a clue as to their whereabouts.

“In fact this latest attack has brought to the fore the need for both the Benue and Nasarawa state governments to take a closer look at overhauling the security apparatus operating on the border between the two states,” he said.

Meanwhile, Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam has charged the people of the state to be vigilant and report suspicious movements in the communities to security agencies, following the weekend invasion of Benue communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

Speaking yesterday at the Catholic Church, Oshigbudu after inspecting the damage at Enogaje, one of the communities earlier attacked by the marauders, Suswam urged the people to “be security conscious and report suspicious movements to the relevant security agencies”.