Benue govt helpless, laments how herdsmen have sacked, occupying Mbataho Island

The government of Benue State on Wednesday painted a picture of its helplessness as it lamented how armed herdsmen had invaded Mbatoho Island, sacked the residents, razed their homes and occupied the Island.

The Island is located in Mbalagh council ward of Makurdi Local Government.

The statement confirms an earlier report that no less than 5000 residents of the island have been sacked by armed herdsmen, who now occupy their land.

Benue State Information Commissioner, Lawrence Onoja Jnr., who disclosed this to newsmen in Makurdi, added that cows are now grazing on farmlands and food barns of the sacked community.

According to him, the government had directed security personnel to ensure that the invaders are chased off the island.

“Our findings when the Security Adviser to the Governor, Lt. Col. Paul Hemba (Rtd.) led a team to the Island, indicated that for sometime in the last few days there has been serious influx of herdsmen into Benue especially along Agatu, Guma, Logo, Katsina/Ala local government areas and communities bordering Nasarawa State especially.

“It was in course of this influx that groups of herdsmen three days ago went to Mbatoho Island, at Mbalagh council ward of Makurdi LGA and sacked the locals from their homes. The people fled from Island and the herdsmen took over the community. When the team got there it was discovered that the herdsmen were feeding their cattle on the farm produce of the people and all they had in their barns.

“Governor Samuel Ortom has been in constant touch with security personnel who have mobilized to the Island and have been directed to push back the herdsmen.

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“Unfortunately the Exercise Ayem A’ Akpatuma recently launched by the military in the state to end the herdsmen incursion in the state does not cover that area because it is an Island completely surrounded by water.

“However, security personnel have been mobilized to the island to move the herdsmen out so that the people can move back to their community,” Onoja said.

The claim is said to have been confirmed by the state Police.

 

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