BREAKING: Again, suspected herdsmen attack Benue community, kill five

High tension grips Ayilamo and Mahanga settlements in Tombo ward, Logo Local Government area of Benue State, following a tragic event on Tuesday night. Suspected armed herdsmen conducted a deadly assault, attacking farming communities around 10:20 pm on Tuesday, specifically targeting residents within their homes.

Aside from the five immediate casualties, numerous others suffered varying degrees of injuries and were promptly transported to Benue State University Teaching Hospital Makurdi from Ayilamo Health Centre, which was overwhelmed by the influx of casualties.

An eyewitness, Tersoo Apera, recounted to The Nation over the phone that the marauding herdsmen targeted the Mobile Barracks situated on the Anyiin-Ayilamo road in Mahanga settlement, claiming two lives in a thatched house. Subsequently, they proceeded to Ayilamo, the Headquarters of Tombo ward, where they fatally shot three individuals.

On the following morning, Ayilamo Comprehensive Health Centre, where the deceased and injured were taken, faced a surge of sympathizers struggling to identify their loved ones.

Chief (Dr.) Enoch Ikyumen, the local monarch, visited the Health Centre to gather first-hand information and passionately appealed to both State and Federal Governments to instruct security agencies to safeguard his community members. Chief Ikyumen strongly condemned the relentless attacks and loss of lives among his people.

The scene at Ayilamo Health Centre was somber, with heart-wrenching cries and tears from bereaved relatives as the remains of their loved ones were prepared for burial.

Ayilamo town, the Headquarters of Tombo ward in Gaambetiev, is an agricultural and fishing community near Anyiin, situated on the Abinse-Wukari federal highway in Benue State. Unfortunately, it has been consistently targeted by herdsmen attacks since 2016.

The Security Adviser to the Governor, Chief Joe Har, confirmed the attacks and resulting fatalities, identifying the victims as Ayev Jôgunô (Mbavihi—Mbazar), Faiga Mwuese Apefan (Mbazar), Msendoo Tertese Vaachia (Mbagum), James Mhen Nyerga Iorliam (Tse-Ihyôôn—Iwendyer), and Orgbee Mnguerorga (Tse-Nyajo—Mbaiwem).