The Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has described the gruesome killing of 16 people at Wandoo, Mbalom, in the Gwer-East Local Government Area of the state by suspected armed herders as a test to his administration’s resolve.
In a condolence message sent to the families of those who lost loved ones in the Thursday night attack on the council area, the governor lamented the killing of the people.
According to the statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kula Tersoo, and made available to journalists in Makurdi on Friday, the governor said that his government will not sleep until the armed herders who perpetrated the heinous act are caught and brought before the law.
The governor confirmed in the statement that, “armed herders last Thursday, 7th of March, 2024 at about 7 pm invaded the Wan-doo community in Mbalom of Gwer East LGA and killed scores of natives.”
He further said, “We gave these criminals orders to leave the state immediately. We also gave an ultimatum to those practising open grazing in the state to ensure they comply with the law or leave the state within 14 days.
“That ultimatum has since elapsed. I can see what happened at Wandoo is a calculated attempt to test the resolve of my government over the matter I have already given priority.”
He added that criminals under whatever guise who found their way into the state should know that the time is up and there is no going back on strict enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law (2017).
Reports have it that some gunmen suspected to be armed herders Thursday night invaded the Wandoo, Mbalom in Gwer-East LGA and unleashed terror on the residents of the area.
By the time they left, no fewer than 16 people had been killed and many houses burnt.
A local who spoke to journalists by phone in the Tiv dialect said that the attackers came to the community through Mbasombo.
He said, “Those we have recovered their corpses are seven so far. There are about eight dead bodies in the bushes that we are yet to recover. They came through Mbasombo into our village.
“The retired military officer, Warrant Officer 2 who is the community security adviser had earlier reported a case at a police station about the activities of a Fulani man known as Alhaji who was among those killed.
“They took us by surprise. They came numbering over 40, with guns and cutlasses. The operation lasted for over three hours. The incident started around 7 pm in the night. As I’m talking to you now over 30 houses were burnt. One of the victims was burnt in his house.”
The Caretaker Chairman of the local government, Mrs Comfort Agbo confirmed that 16 bodies were recovered in a phone interview on Friday.
She said, “At the moment there is relative peace in Wandor community now. 16 bodies have so far been recovered. Two are injured and are receiving treatment.
“Those who attacked and killed my people are suspected armed herdsmen. The security operatives are currently moving the bodies to the mortuary.”
A resident who did not want to be mentioned identified those who lost their lives during the attack as Peter Tion, Nyityo Kyoon, Iorfa Ukombor, Doopinen Awua, Tyoshaa Mkaanem, Asan Ate, Asough Ate, and Terzungwe Ate.
“Others were, MWO Mbatsavbun Gbatar (retd.), John Ndahagh Tyohemba, Tertsea Ukombor, Akuma Kpenge, Abume Kpenge, Igba Byuan, Ter Byuan, Terzungwe Aulugh, and a little boy whose name is not yet known,” the source added.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, who had earlier promised to give details of the attack as soon as the Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, returned from the troubled area did not take her calls when our correspondent contacted her.
