Herdsmen planning to attack Makurdi – Lawmaker raises alarm

Member representing Makurdi North at the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr Terfa Kudi, has said if serious security measures are not taken to curtail the current insecurity ravaging his constituents, herdsmen might soon take over Makurdi town, the Benue state capital.

Mr Kudi expressed the fears Wednesday in Jos, while speaking with journalists at the on-going two-day zonal public hearing on Constitution review holding in Jos, Plateau State.

“They (herdsmen) are almost taking over the entire Makurdi town, since they can successfully attack communities at the outskirts of Makurdi,” he stated.

Mr Kudi lamented that efforts put in place by various security operatives to secure his people needs to be redoubled due to the increasing attacks and killings. “Government is doing its part, but more efforts needs to deployed,” he added.

The lawmaker who called on the federal and Benue state governments to protect his constituents from the invaders revealed further that Fulani herdsmen have ransacked the entire four wards that make up Makurdi North. “No one is living in Mbagwen and Mbala Ward, the attackers have sent all parking,” he lamented.

According to him, the situation might lead to food shortage in the state, because his constituents are predominantly farmers, and can’t go to farm due to persistent attacks.

Mr Terfa sympathized with the affected families whose family members have died and other valuables destroyed as a result of the attacks.

The prevailing attacks in Benue North State Constituency has also negativity affected academic activities at the Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, as its host community is affected by the suspected armed herdsmen attackers.