Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, again on Wednesday called on Benue communities to rise up and defend themselves against suspected Fulani Herdsmen.
The governor expressed grief over the sustained killing of Benue people by the suspected herdsmen.
The governor made the revelation while reacting to the recent murderous activities of Fulani herdsmen in Benue with scores hacked to death in unprovoked attacks.
The statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, noted that there were coordinated attacks on Guma, Kwande and Gwer West local government areas of the state on Tuesday, March 29th, 2022.
The statement reads in part, “A report from the team leader of security agencies in Kasekyo near Tse Torkula village in Guma local government said that suspected Fulani herders at about 0930 hours on Tuesday, March 29th, 2022 shot one Turner Ajar and an unidentified elderly man who were on a motorcycle going to the farm.
“The team of Agro Rangers who were on patrol in the area ran into the attack, unfortunately, the victims had already been killed. Their corpses were taken and deposited at a hospital in Gbajimba, Guma local government area of the state.
“In Kpankeeke, a suburb on the outskirts of Naka, headquarters of Gwer West local government, gory images of persons killed by another set of herdsmen littered the streets.
“The Agro Rangers team were alerted and they moved to the location alongside the Army and Police.
“The patrol team found the body of one Ahemba Apeelu, an aged man at a sawmill from Saav/Ukusu council Ward who was slaughtered and his throat slit.
“Others identified to have been killed by the invaders include Tersoo Yasough and a young lady known as Martha Ukange.
The statement noted that eye witnesses alleged that the armed herders were dressed in military camouflage as a decoy as they unleashed mayhem in the affected communities.
“Eyewitnesses alleged that the herders were dressed in military camouflage as a decoy.”
“Another body of a young man yet to be identified was later sighted along the road. Another body yet to be identified was recovered too.
“The search for more persons who are said to be missing is ongoing in affected communities,” the statement added.
