Gunmen Invade Benue Village, kill Three

By Babatunde Solanke

Gunmen suspected to be armed herdsmen invaded Imatom village in Logo local government area of Benue State on Saturday killing three people.

A community leader, Anawa Joseph confirmed the development, saying that the killings of people in the local government area by suspected herders have assumed dangerous dimensions.

Anawa gave the names of the latest victims of armed herdsmen to include; Tertsea Terkimbi Adagundu, Tertsea Mkposu and Mimidoo Umburga.

 “These three young men were killed by Fulani militia herdsmen at Imatom village Square near Chembe, Ukemberagya, Logo Local Govt, Benue State yesterday, Saturday, at about 9 pm.

“Their corpses have been deposited at NKST hospital morgue, Anyiin.

“All these renewed attacks and killing without any provocation are aimed at displacing the peasant farmer in order to pave the way for cattle to graze on their crops which are yet to be harvested,” he

The community leader, who chronicled the spate of renewed attacks by Fulani herdsmen militia on the people of Gaambe-Tiev in the local government area since the beginning of September 2023 said the Saturday attack was the fourth.

 “Recently, on Saturday 3/9/23 at about 11 am, one Monday Hembaku of Chembe village was accosted and killed on his Cassava farm by Fulani herdsmen. His corpse is still lying at NKST Anyiin morgue.

“Five days later on Friday 29/9/23 at about 2 pm, two women from the same village (Chembe) Mrs Iember Ornguga and Dinnah Chembe were macheted and badly wounded by Fulani marauders when they went to fetch firewood.

“They were rushed to a medical facility by men of Operation Wilds Stroke station at Arufu a nearby settlement where they are recuperating.

“Another attack took place on Wednesday 11/10/23 around 9 am at Iorza along Tse Abiem road where two young men Mr. Mbaadega Vihimga and Chuku Gaku who went to buy fish at Zebo Market near River Benue were waylaid on their way back by Fulani militia who inflicted them with various degrees of injuries,” he said.

Anawa called on both state and federal governments to as a matter of urgency deploy security to secure the area.

The state police command is yet to comment on the development as at the time of filing this report.

Source: The Punch online