Five killed in suspected herders attack on Benue communities

Suspected armed herders in the early hours of Sunday invaded some communities in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State and killed no fewer than five people in a renewed attack.

According to a local who spoke to our correspondent in a telephone interview on Sunday, the attackers stormed Myina village and later proceeded to attack other villages, including Ikpur, Ayaba, Ajio, and others in Mbazum Council Ward.

The local, who simply identified himself as John Agber, said, “In the early hours of today (Sunday), some suspected Fulani marauders attacked several villages and communities in Mbazum Council Ward, Ukum LGA of Benue State.

“The attackers began the assault in Myina village and proceeded to attack other villages, including Ikpur, Ayaba, Ajio, and other villages in Mbazum Council Ward,” adding, “Five bodies have been recovered.”

Agber, who said that the extent of destruction could still not be ascertained as at the time of filing this report, explained that the attack was ongoing in some remote villages, with combined security forces deployed to the affected villages.

When contacted on the phone, the spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Peter Aondongu, who confirmed the attack, said that more details would be communicated as soon as he got them.

He said, “I can confirm that there was an attack in Ukum Local Government Area; more details will be communicated to you as soon as I have them.”

Meanwhile, the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, has condemned the Sunday attack on the communities in Ukum LGA.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, the governor, who appreciated the prompt response of the security agencies, promised to keep supporting the security agencies to effectively protect the people of the state.

The statement read in part, “Terrorists masquerading as herdsmen in the early hours of today invaded and attacked the people of Mbaterem in Ayaba, Ikpur, Yina, Aboajio, and Ukpen communities of Mbazun Ward, killing some and inflicting injuries on others.

“The governor consoles those who lost loved ones and the injured, vowing to keep giving the necessary support to security agencies to effectively protect the state.”

Governor Alia warned that the people of the state would not surrender their ancestral homes to any invaders.

The governor was quoted as saying, “Benue lands for Benue people. Anyone who thinks that attacking us will intimidate us to leave the land is making a mistake.”

“I took an oath to protect our people, and I will not relent. I must appreciate the fact that the Federal Government is advancing a lot of support for us to tackle these acts of terrorism.”

The governor charged security agencies to continue mounting guards in strategic areas across the state to tackle those attacking the state, and also assured the people of the state of his administration’s continued efforts to protect them.

In recent times, several communities in Otukpo, Ohimini, Logo and the latest Ukum LGAs have continually witnessed repeated armed herder attacks.