About 25 people, including a traditional ruler, women and children have been reportedly killed in an attack on villages in Guma, Tarka and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State, by suspected herdsmen Monday night.
The affected villages are Tse-Sumaka, near Branch Umenger in Mbadwem Council Ward, in Guma LGA, Tiortyo village in Tarka Local Government Area, LGA, as well as in Gaambe Tiev in Logo LGA.
According to sources from the affected areas, the invaders stormed the villages in an organized manner, and launched a coordinated attack on the people, simultaneously.
The sad development had caused chaos in the Tiortyo area, where angry youths have blocked the Makurdi/Gboko Road with the corpses of the deceased victims, thus, causing a heavy gridlock on that route.
A traditional ruler was reportedly murdered, and several others injured, after suspected herders stormed Gaambetiev in Logo Local Government Area of the state on the same night.
Confirming the attack on his LGA, council boss of Guma, Caleb Aba, in a telephone chat, on Tuesday afternoon, said seven corpses have so far been recovered, while one more person who was shot, was still battling to survive at the hospital.
‘At about 7 pm last night (Monday), people of Tse-Sumaka village near branch Umenger in Mbadwem council ward in Guma LGA were relaxing after the day’s work at their farm. Suddenly, some herdsmen invaded the area and started shooting at them. Five persons died on the spot, three were injured.
‘While those three injured were being rushed to the hospital, one died before getting to the hospital while another injured victim also died this morning. This brings the number of death from that singular attack to seven with one injured still battling for life at the hospital.’
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Asked if the invaders were provoked, the Guma council boss said, ‘These days, these Fulani herdsmen don’t have to be provoked before they attack and kill, because their agenda is to chase us away from our ancestral homes and occupy our land.’
He said the matter had already been reported to relevant security agencies.
On his part, Security Adviser to Governor Samuel Ortom, Paul Hemba, speaking to reporters on the telephone, confirmed the Monday night attacks.
‘Yes, those incidences happened in Guma, Logo and Tarka.
Hemba disclosed that the killings were carried out by suspected herders and happened at about the same time in all the locations, adding that those who were injured and those who escaped the attack, confirmed the attackers were herdsmen.
Police spokeswoman, Superintendent of Police, Catherine Anene, confirmed the attacks on the three LGAs and promised to furnish newsmen with details later.
‘I am currently at the scene of the incident with the Commissioner of Police. I will communicate with you soon. It’s not convenient to talk from here,’ Anene said in a WhatsApp message.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
