In separate attacks that occurred on Tuesday, five people were reportedly killed at Mahanga and Ayilamo in Logo LGA, while four others were killed at Nagi camp, Mbachohon council ward of Gwer West LGA.
A native of Ayilamo who simply identified himself as Torkuma told our correspondent on Wednesday that the herdsmen first attacked Mahanga, killed two people, and later proceeded to Ayilamo, where they killed three people.
Recall that suspected armed herders had on Saturday invaded Imatom village in the same Logo LGA and killed three people.
Torkuma said, “Herdsmen came at about 10 pm on Tuesday night. They attacked and killed two persons at the Mobile barracks, situated at Mahanga, near Ayilamo.
“From there, they headed to Ayilamo town, and on entering the town, the herdsmen shot and killed another 3 persons on the spot.
“Many others sustained various degrees of injury and were taken to the hospital, where they are receiving treatment.
The native-identified victims of Tuesday’s attack include Ayev Jôgunô, Faiga Mwuese Apefan, Msendoo Tertese Vaachima, James Mhen Nyerga Iorliam, and Orgbee Mnguerorga.
Those injured, according to Torkuma, are Mrs Mngohol Igbalumun Utile, Mr. Vershima Usange Meeme, and Mrs Terpase Nyerga.
Also, in Gwer West LGA, suspected herders were reported to have invaded Nagi camp, Mbachohon council ward, and killed four people.
A local who did not want to be mentioned told our correspondent on Wednesday through phone that the armed herders invaded Mbachohon and killed four people.
“The armed herders invaded Mbachohon village without any provocation and they shot sporadically by the time they left four dead bodies were found”, the local said.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the state command, Catherine Anene, said that five people were killed in Logo but are yet to get a report about the attack on Mbachohon in Gwer West.
“I can confirm that five people were killed in Logo yesterday but are yet to receive information about Gwer West,” Anene said in a telephone conversation on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, confirmed the attacks on the two local government areas of the state.
According to the statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Kula Tersoo, the governor frowned at the nefarious activities of the herders who maimed and killed innocent people.
He said, “The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has utterly condemned the unprovoked attacks on Ayilamo and Mbachohon communities in Logo and Gwer-West Local Government Areas by suspected armed herders.
“Governor Alia frowns at the nefarious activities of the herders who maim and kill innocent Benue citizens in cold blood for reasons that are difficult to grasp and pin down.
“He said Benue is an agrarian society whose economy is largely based on producing and maintaining crops and farmlands, and “we cannot watch our people killed daily on their farmlands and their villages for a cause very unknown to us.”
“The Governor who lamented cases of alleged herdsmen attacks on Benue communities leading to loss of lives and property said he will not rest until such barbaric acts are curtailed.
While sympathising with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the attacks, Governor Alia called on security agencies in the state to quickly delve into the depths of the unfortunate situations and apprehend those suspected to be behind such attacks, and bring them before the law.
Alia also called on traditional rulers and youths in the state to be vigilant and report any suspicious move to security.
