Fifteen persons have been confirmed dead, with many others still unaccounted for, as suspected herdsmen launch a fresh attack on Efeyi community in Ugboju district of Otukpo LGA of Benue State, North-Central Nigeria.
The armed herdsmen invaded the community on Tuesday morning at about 9.30 am and started shooting sporadically thereby killing 15 villagers and injuring several others.
A local who spoke to AIT.live via phone on condition of anonymity, described the current situation in Efeyi in Ugboju district as very pathetic.
According to him, the attackers invaded the community at about 5am in the morning and continued shooting till after 9am with no response from the security agencies.
He also alleged that even the Army and police that were stationed at Ugboju- Ogobia could not go to the community to assist in protecting the innocent citizens as a result of the sound of gunshots.
“What can we do to protect our people. All of us are currently helpless and vulnerable. Oh God help the souls of the innocent people being killed mercilessly in Efeyi Ugboju”, he said.
The chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Prince Maxwell Ogiri confirmed via phone that14 dead bodies had been recovered, while many others who were wounded have been evacuated to hospital for immediate medical attention.
Ogiri insisted that there was no provocation, adding that the attackers are just invading communities and are there to shed blood and kill innocent people.
“They have been attacking sporadically from different communities to the other in recent days.” the chairman said.
Ogiri disclosed that the entire villagers are now afraid of staying in their communities, as there is great apprehension with people from neighboring communities fleeing their homes.
The chairman appealed to the Benue State government to take a deliberate step towards enforcement of the anti-open grazing law as everything is tied to it.
He noted that the eviction notice given to the armed herders by the Och’Otukpo cannot hold because there is nobody to enforce it and so, people will continue to lament.
The Benue State Police command also confirmed the latest attack, saying that personnel have been deployed to the area.
The command’s police public relations officer PPRO DSP Udeme Edet, who confirmed the incident said “police are aware of an attack that occurred in a community during the early hours of today.”
“Police Officers have been deployed to the scene, they are taking necessary steps to restore calm and commence a thorough investigation into the incident.
“The situation is being closely monitored, further details will be made available as the investigation progresses and facts are established.Thank you”, Edet said in a text message.
Several communities in Otukpo and Ohimini Local Government Areas have been under severe attacks by suspected armed herdsmen leading to many deaths, following the killing of the State chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Ardo Risku Mohammed in the axis about a month ago.
Meanwhile, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia has expressed grief over the attack on the Efeyi community in Ugboju by suspected armed herders in the early hours of today.
He said the bandits must pay for their crime against the peaceful people of the state.
The Governor, however, appreciated the Benue State Command of the Nigeria Police under the command of CP Cletus Nwadiogbu for their quick response, which resulted in the neutralisation of two armed bandits in the area suspected to have taken part in the unfortunate incident.
He said following reports of the incident, men of the Benue State Police Command deployed their men to trace the armed bandits adding that fire exchange occurred as the police closed in on the bandits, and, two of the bandits who were apparently manned to provide cover for the others to escape got neutralised.
The Governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula said his administration will continue to support the security agencies to ensure those who attack the state are spoken to in the language they understand.
He insists that Benue land is for Benue people and those who think they can come and push the people away and takeover should think twice.
“Our people are peaceful, hardworking and peaceful. I was elected to protect them, and I must do everything legitimately possible to ensure my people are protected, and our land is secured,” he concluded.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
