Benue fresh herdsmen attack claim 15 lives
A young herdsboy leads animals to feed in the bush in Lafia capital of Nasarawa State, northcentral Nigeria on January 4, 2018. Nomadic cattle herders have all but left Benue state, driven away by fighting over access to resources and a new law banning migratory herding, an age-old practice necessary for the survival of the livestock. More than 100 people have been killed since early January, with 100,000 fleeing their homes to safety, according to the local emergency management agency (SEMA). After months of inaction, the Nigerian army announced the imminent deployment of troops for "Operation Cat Race" in several city states, including Benue to end the violence. / AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI
From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
fewer than 15 persons have been reportedly killed by herdsmen in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
The former Vice Chairman of the Local government, Anthony Ikwulono, told newsmen on phone in Makurdi that the incident occurred on Saturday, along Ogwumogbo and Okpo’okpolo axis of the LGA .
He said several others also sustained various degree of injures, in the renewed attack by the armed herdsmen.
He said the bodies of the victims have been recovered and described the situation as unfortunate.
Another source who spoke on the condition of anonymity,said the killings started on Saturday evening and continued into Sunday morning.
This was barely two weeks after a similar assault in Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo LGA, claimed the life of a district head of Agatu living in Otukpo LGA and seven others.
The source said Ogbayi and Ogwumogbo communities were badly hit.
He said: “There was a small stream, called Abekoko, one Ali from Ogwumogbo and five others whose names were not known yet, were killed in that stream.Our farming communities is now deserted, with residents fleeing to neighbouring areas in search of safety.
“The situation is dire, especially for women and children, who are urgently in need of assistance.
“We call on Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia as well as security personnel, to kindly swing into action to put an end to this unfortunate massacre of our people by criminal herders”, the source said.
The Executive Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Melvin Ejeh,was too emotional to speak when contacted. He simply said: “I’m too emotional to speak on this incident. This is the first time we are witnessing this since I became Chairman. I’m sad,” he said.
As at the time of filing this report, the council chairman was said to be attending the burial of those killed by the herders.
When contacted, chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, (MACBAN) Benue State chapter, Ardo Mohammed Risku, said he was in meeting and promised to call back.
