Fulani herdsmen strike in Benue, kill IDPs

Suspected armed herders have taken the lives of three internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Benue State.

Terna Jacob, Chairman of Agbabe Camps in Benue State, confirmed that the IDPs were attacked and killed while tending to their farms on Wednesday.

The victims, identified as Ortom Chiater, Targule Sechivir, and Kusa Amos, had sought refuge in the Agagbe IDP camp after being displaced due to attacks by suspected herders on their villages in 2022, 2020, and 2021, respectively.

Terna Jacob expressed the grim details, stating, “Ortom Chiater was killed on his farm yesterday (Wednesday) by armed herders; his body was found and buried.

He was displaced by the same group on July 5, 2022. He is from Tse-Ugber in the Mbachohon council ward. He was staying with his family at Block 3, Agagbe IDP camp. He was 25 years old.”

He continued, “Mr. Targule Sechivir of Tse-Jabi Sengev Council was killed yesterday (Wednesday) by Fulani militia on his farm. His remains were found and buried. He was displaced by the same group on July 30, 2020. He and his family were taking refuge at IDP camp Agagbe, staying in Block 6. He was 30 years old.”

Tragically, “Mr. Kusa Amos was killed yesterday (Wednesday) by the Fulani militias on his farm. He is from Mbachohon council ward, Tse-Utoh; he was displaced by the same herders on July 20, 2021. He and his family were staying at Block 1, Agagbe IDP camp. He was about 50 years old.”

The Public Relations Officer for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, when contacted for a statement, expressed a lack of information regarding the incident.