Armed Herdsmen Kill Six Persons, One Little Girl In Benue Communities
•••Restriction Of Movement Imposed On Gwer-West LGA
•By Admin
MAKURDI: Armed herdsmen have again struck in two separate Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Benue State, killing seven persons, including a little girl in the process.
During one of the attacks that took place in Buruku LGA, the armed herdsmen killed five persons, while another two persons were slain in Gwer-West LGA of the state.
However, the Police spokesperson for Benue State Command, CSP Sewuese Anene, could not be reached for comments. Up to the time of compiling this report, she was yet to respond to calls and messages put through her.
In the same vein, the Director General, Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (rtd), who said he was just hearing about the incident also said he does not have details of the killings.
But according to locals in Buruku LGA who would not want their names in print, said the armed herders launched the attack on Mbakundu community in Mbaya council ward of the LGA, in the early hours of Monday, killing several victims in cold blood.
While they said their assailants stormed the community at about 12 midnight, shooting indiscriminately and mowing down every thing in sight, they counted five dead bodies, including that of a little child at the end of the day, even as the were still searching for missing persons.
Chairman, Buruku LGA, Raymond Aondoakura, who confirmed the incident on telephone said, “They (herdsmen) killed four young men and one little girl. So far, five bodies has been recovered and deposited in the mortuary.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman, Gwer-West LGA, Victor Ormin, who has confirmed that armed herders killed another two persons along Naka-Makurdi road of Gwer-West LGA on Monday, said the victims were going about their normal business when they met with their untimely death.
Following the incident which has been one too many in recent times, the Gwer-West LGA Chairman, directed that movement of people in and out of the LGA should not exceed 6: 30pm, adding that the directive takes immediate effect.
In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Timothy Ajieje said the restriction would be reviewed as the security situation in the LGA improves.
He said “The Executive Chairman , Gwer West LGA, Hon Ormin Torsar Victor has directed that movement of people in and out of the geographical territory of Gwer-West LGA should not exceed 6: 30pm. This directive takes immediate effect, also.
“With this Executive directive, people coming into Gwer-West LGA and those going out to other places are to do so within the stipulated time of 6:30pm”, he stressed. End
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