News; Fulani herdsmen continue their barbaric acts as 15 lives were massacred in Benue State.

Again, suspected Fulani herdsmen on Monday invaded Igbongun community in Tsaav Ward of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, killing five people. Only last Sunday, the herdsmen struck in Tse Wankyor in the same Tsaav Ward and killed 10 and injured several others. Yesterday’s incident brings the death toll from the two attacks to 15.

A source told The AUTHORITY that the armed herders numbering over 50 invaded the community through the neighbouring Kente settlement in Tara­ ba State at 11pm on Monday and unleashed terror on the people with their sophisticated weapons. He claimed that six motorcycles were carted away by the rampaging herdsmen.

The District Head of Tsaav, His Royal Highness (HRH) Joseph Ivuen, told The AUTHORITY that the attack was unwarranted because they have never had issues with the Fulani cattle rearers. The monarch said that the community had been deserted for fear of further attacks and called on the Federal Government to provide a lasting solu­ tion to the continued invasion of Benue villages by the herdsmen.

The Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, Hon. Simon Kachina, who confirmed the attacks, said that they were strange because the affected communities never had issues with the herdsmen and charged the authorities to intensify efforts to­ wards ending such barbaric acts.

The council boss who gave the names of victims whose bodies had been recovered as Keryum Mku, Terkura Ajo and Terhemba Gwa, added that the search for others had continued. Kachina said: “It is most unfortunate and the most worrisome aspect of these attacks lies in the fact that they are normally carried out during cropping season and for a local government whose economic mainstay is farming, the continued sacking of our people will not augur well for our economic survival.

I am appealing especially to the Federal Government to put in efforts that will curtail the barbaric acts of these headsmen.” The member representing Ukum, Logo and Katsina/ Ala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Emmanuel Udende, said that a public hearing into the continued attacks on Benue communities by the herdsmen had begun at the Lower House.

Through his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Jerry Iorngaem, who was at the ravaged community, the lawmaker urged his constituents not to resort to self-help. The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Yamu, confirmed the attacks.