Armed herdsmen militia have, again, killed 28 people, including six security operatives of the
Benue State Community Volunteer Guards and Livestock Guards, in a fresh attack on three communities in Gwer West Local Government Area, (LGA) of Benue State.
The attacks come just one week after 17 victims of herdsmen attacks were given a mass burial at Mbaikyor Mbalom Gwer East LGA of the state.
Daily Sun gathered that the six personnel were ambushed and killed when they accompanied a bereaved family to bury their loved one. Locals from the affected communities told newsmen in Makurdi, yesterday, that the attacks started at about 11 pm, last Saturday and continued till Monday.
A local, who didn’t want to be named for fear of attacks, said six security operatives who accompanied a family of a deceased for burial were killed last Saturday, at Mbabwande, 14 people were killed on Sunday, at Gyaluwa, while six others were murdered along Naka/Adoka road, on Monday.
Chairman, Gwer West LGA, Mr Henry Agba, who confirmed the incident to newsmen, said several other people were injured.
He said: “The attack started on Saturday; six security operatives of the state, comprising Benue Security Community Volunteer Guards and Livestock Guards, were killed. They (operatives) escorted a family of a deceased to a village called Mbabwande, where they had gone to bury their loved one and they ambushed them and killed them.
“On Sunday, at about 11pm, they attacked a community in Gyalwa and 14 people were killed. Also, on Monday, they attacked a community along Naka/Adoka road, where the villagers have so far recovered six dead bodies. Many people were wounded and receiving treatment at some clinics within the LGA.”
The chairman further stated that the incidents were reported to the police and state security adviser, who he said visited one of the scenes of the incident, on Monday, to see things for themselves.
While also confirming the attacks, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on External Affairs, retired Col. Alexander Ashungu, said 16 people were killed at Gyaluwa. He said the armed herders used machetes to attack the villagers. “This way, they could attack the people silently and disappear back into the bush without shooting guns.”
He said when they went for an on-the-spot assessment of the area, the whole communities were deserted leaving only animals, goats, chickens and ducks.
“It is quite unfortunate that the members of the communities no longer take proactive measures concerning their personal security. We have discovered that some of the farmers even go to their farms without a cutlass and machete.”
He, however, said the government is on top of the situation and is doing all that is necessary to secure the land and the people. He advised the people to always call the telephone numbers of the security agencies that were given to them for prompt intervention from the authorities. He commended the military for their clearance operations in Kwande LGA and other parts of the state, which has reduced the attacks drastically in those areas. He also urged the people to provide intelligence to security agencies, to enable them to nip the menace in the bud.
Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the attack, but said detailed information would be provided when the police commissioner arrives from the assessment tour of the areas.
