Eight killed as Fulani Herdsmen raid Benue community

Suspected Fulani herdsmen on Friday attacked a Benue community in Shengev district of Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA) killing eight persons while hundred others have been displaced.

The communities; Tse-Agbulu, Tse-Atakpa and Tse-Abichi among others were besieged by the marauders with sporadic gunshots while many were wounded and dispossessed of their belongings.

According to a source, those who sustained injury from the attack were currently receiving treatment at Naka, headquarters of the local council. The source gave the names of those who were killed as Iorhen Agbulu, Mrs. Anakula Gbesa and Mr. Agboughul Uoor, while Godwin Ahuna was said to be seriously macheted.

Worried by the killing of their people by the herdsmen, President, Tyoshin Development Association, a socio-cultural organisation, Dr. Sylvester Ugbegili in a statement condemned the unprovoked attack and grazing of cattle on farm lands causing damage to crops.

The association said it was high time the Federal Government stopped the unnecessary invasion of the peoples’ farms and homes by the herdsmen.

He said, “The Tyoshin people are bonafide citizens of this country and must not be treated as aliens. The Fulani people should be instructed to stop off the Tyoshin land; hence it is entirely for farming activity”.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Austin Ezeani who confirmed the clash, said only one person was killed; even as he added that normalcy had returned to the area.
It will be recalled that communities in the area have suffered from innumerable attacks on their citizens by Fulani herdsmen since 2011.

Idoma Voice