Metro
BENUE: Fresh attack by camouflage-wearing herdsmen leaves 10 dead
A Tuesday attack by suspected herdsmen in military camouflage, has left no less than 10 persons dead in Logo and Ukum local government areas of Benue State.
The killer herdsmen also injured many, razed houses and destroyed other properties worth millions of Naira in coordinated attacks that were carried out almost simultaneously in the two local government areas of Benue State.
While seven persons were killed in Gbeji, in the Ukum LGA, three were killed in Channel 1, in the Logo LGA.
In Gbeji, those killed were identified as Mtserkyaa lgbugh, Kananfa Amarfu, Tyavyar Akau, Orfega Hiikyaa, Kanyitor Uor and a 75-year-old passerby, whose identity is yet to be known.
In Channel 1, the attackers killed Tor Imbor, Aondowua Mnyor and Msugh Ajura.
Ukum LGA chairman, Mr. Iberlogo Tortyokyaa, who confirmed the killings in his area, urged the Federal Government to try and protect the citizens from the killer herdsmen.
Also confirming the attack, Benue State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, said, “We can confirm that as of this morning suspected herdsmen attacked the areas. Four dead bodies were recovered. We have stepped up security in the areas and we are investigating.”
Meanwhile, the state Governor Samuel Ortom has tagged the attacks on Benue as an extension of the terrorism perpetrated by Boko Haram sect.
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He said in Makurdi on Wednesday, that “the manner the armed men invaded communities of the state and slaughter innocent people was not different from the mindless acts of Boko Haram in the North Eastern part of the country.”
He added, “They come with sophisticated weapons, kill people and chase them away. In some cases, they do not have herds. They just come with their weapons, kill and chase the people out and take over the land and that is the worrisome part of it.
“The trend of attacks on Benue is beyond mere grazing of livestock. If the invaders were only interested in grazing, the massive destruction of lives and property would not have been their priority.”
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