Fulani herdsmen invasion: Four killed as Igede community boils

Four persons, including a nursing mother, have been killed in a fresh clash that ensued between residents of Adiko community of Obi local government, Benue State and some Fulani herdsmen.

It was gathered that problem erupted after an unidentified Fulani herdsman was disallowed entry into the said community.

A resident told DAILY POST that the herdsman was rejected on the ground of his troublesomeness.
 Angered by their refusal to grant him residence, the herder allegedly devised a revenge scheme which he executed by laying ambush and murdering one Mrs. Iyaji to incriminate the rest Fulanis and have them displaced.

According to a resident, Akoko J. Smith, the victim was said to have encountered the misfortune which later led to her demise while passing through the lonely Adiko–Adum road on her way back from Adum East, where she went to sell some logs of firewood.

“Iyaji’s barbaric killing is a subject of discourse today in the neighboring communities; it has plunged the people into unusual fear and paralyzed farm activities,” he said.

One Mrs. Oko Celia, a relative of the deceased took to Facebook and broke into tears.

“Fulani herdsmen, what have we done to you? How can a stranger butcher a daughter of the soil to death like that? Aunty Iyaji, I can’t believe you’re really dead, leaving your kids, including your nursing child… Can’t these people embrace peace for once?” Celia lamented.

In a reprisal to the Monday’s ugly incident, however, an angry mob from the victim’s community yesterday, allegedly raided a Fulani abode at Otokwe of Adum East to vent their anger.

Consequent to the rampage, three Fulanis and three cows were reportedly killed, with a handful of others still battling for survival at the General Hospital, Obarike Ito.

Confirming the development, the Benue State Police PRO, Moses Yamu said arrest had been made in connection with the incident.

Speaking on what lead to the crisis, the police spokesman said the woman was attacked on her way from the market.

“According to the report we had, the woman was on her way from the market and met her father in the farm.

“So, after few minutes walk from where her father was farming, she started screaming, Fulani people want to kill me.

“The father, on getting there discovered that she had been macheted but did not see anybody. She was rushed to the hospital but died the following the day,” Yamu said.

He also confirmed that the community youths mobilized themselves and attacked the herdsmen, killing three of them and several of the cattle.

“Before our men could get there, the damage had been done. But as we speak, officers have been drafted to the area to prevent further crisis.

“In fact, the Commissioner of police had a meeting with the Obi community leader yesterday in respect of the incident,” he added.

For Advert: Call 08171607004, 09058228464 Follow us on Twitter @idomavoice, @idomanews Send us releases at idomavoice@gmail.com