Suspected Herdsmen Attack Benue Community, Kill Nine
Unknown gunmen
Nine persons have been killed by
suspected herdsmen, including the kindred head of Tse Ancha, Agan council ward,
Makurdi Local Government Area on Saturday morning, just a few meters from the
host community of Abangana IDP camp where seven people were killed about three
weeks ago.
Although the police authorities
are yet to issue an official statement on the killing, the Police Public
Relations Officer for the Benue State Command, Sewuese Anene, confirmed the
attack via a text message.
Tse Ancha is a community located
along the Makurdi- Lafia federal highway and is less than a kilometer from
Abagena Internally Displaced Person (IDPs) Camp, where suspected herdsmen
attacked and killed seven persons, mostly inmates of the camp and members of
the host community.
According to a resident of Tse
Ancher and a journalist attached to the Benue state government house who does
not want his name mentioned confirmed the attack to Channels Television.
The attack happened about 3 to 4
am on Saturday when the villagers were fast asleep.
The Chairman of Makurdi Local
Government Council, Mister Anthony Dyegeh visited the scene of the incident and
directed that the corpses and those injured be taken to the hospital.
While condemning the attacks on
innocent people, Dyegeh called on various security agencies to stand up to
their responsibility of securing the lives and properties of the citizens of
the state.
Also, the Special Adviser to the
Governor of Benue State on Security matters, Colonel Paul Hembah who
accompanied the Chairman to the scene, called the people to stop relying on
Federal security alone but stand up to defend themselves and their Lands.
He extended Governor Samuel
Ortom’s condolences to the people and pray for peace to return in the state.
Also found at the scene of the attack
at the break of dawn, was an ATM card bearing Audullayi Sabo and empty shells
of bullets.
