Gruesome, ceaseless herders’ attacks: Defend yourselves, Gov. Ortom tells Benue communities

Grief-stricken Benue Gov. Samuel Ortom has called on communities in the state that have come under unending herders’ attacks to rise and defend themselves.

The governor’s call came against the killing of scores of persons in fresh attacks on Guma, Kwande, and Gwer West Local Government Areas of the state.

He said:”There were coordinated attacks on Guma, Kwande, and Gwer West local government areas of the state on Tuesday, March 29th, 2022.

“A report from the team leader of security agencies in Kasekyo near Tse Torkula village in Guma local government said that suspected Fulani herders at about 09:30 hours on Tuesday, March 29th, 2022, shot one Turner Ajar and an unidentified elderly man who were on a motorcycle going to the farm.

“The team of Agro Rangers who were on patrol in the area tried to rescue the situation but unfortunately many had already been killed.”

“Their corpses were taken and deposited at a hospital in Gbajimba, Guma local government area of the state,” Ortom said in a statement by his media aide, Nathaniel Ikyur, a copy of which was obtained by Persecondnewscom.

Also, in Kpankeeke, a suburb on the outskirts of Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area, an attack was reported to be carried out by the gunmen dressed in camouflage.

“Gory images of persons killed by another set of herdsmen littered the streets.

“The Agro Rangers team were alerted and they moved to the location alongside the Army and Police. The patrol team found the body of one Ahemba Apeelu, an aged man at a sawmill from Saav/Ukusu council Ward who was slaughtered, and his throat slit.

“Others identified to have been killed by the invaders include Tersoo Yasough and that of a young lady known as Martha Ukange,” the governor said.

Search for more persons who are said to be missing is ongoing in the affected communities.