Armed Fulani herdsmen at about 10pm on Tuesday night, attacked and killed five persons in Ayilamo, Logo, Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue state and injured many others who were left with varying degrees of injury.
In another attack on Mbalam, Mbachohon, council ward of Gwer-West LGA of the state, four persons have been declared missing, which may be an indication that they may have been abducted by herdsmen.
Meanwhile, the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia who has condemned the dual attacks, pledged to end the attacks on Benue people, with a vow that he would not allow the situation to continue under his watch.
As at the time of compiling this report on Wednesday, even though we confirmed that four persons were still missing, it was not clear if any lives were lost during the attack carried out on Gwer-West, LGA.
Those that were declared missing include, Joe Igba, Nyali Akula, Tarvihi Donald and Tyozenda Orkoh, aka, Shifting
However, those that lost their lives during the attack on Ayilamo in Logo LGA of state, include Ayev Joguno, Msendoo Tertese Vaachia, James Mhen Nyerga Iorliam, Orgbee Mnguerorga and
Faiga Mwuese Apefan.
Speaking to Daily Independent in Makurdi on the incident, our sources in Logo LGA who narrated to us what transpired said, “The herdsmen came at about 10pm on Tuesday night. They attacked and killed 2 persons at the Mobile police barracks, situated at Mahanga, near Ayilamo.
“From there, they headed to Ayilamo town and on getting to 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. Some of the cases were so serious that today (Wednesday) they were referred to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi” for advanced treatment.
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia, has condemned the attacks in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Kula Tersoo and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Wednesday.
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 LGAs, 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 which are difficult to grasp and pin down.
“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.
“While sympathizing with the families of those who lost their loved ones in these attacks”, Governor Alia called on security to work towards apprehending and bringing to book, perpetrators of the act, he said.
•INDEPENDENTNG.