Armed men suspected to be herdsmen have killed forty-two (42) farmers including a mobile police officer in coordinated and simultaneous attacks on Aondona, Ahume, Tyolaha, and Tse Ubiam communities, Gwer-West local government area of Benue State.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, Catherine Anene who confirmed the killings in a statement, noted that the policeman died defending one of the villages just a few hours before his killing.
A local source who identified himself as Terhemba told our correspondent that the herders invaded the community between Saturday night and Sunday, shooting sporadically at anyone in sight.
“The attacks claimed the lives of pregnant women, the aged, children as young as two years were also among the dead, while several people were injured with scores still missing,” the PPRO said..
Another local who identified himsel as Iorver said the Saturday attacks on Tyolaha and Tse Ubiam claimed the lives of 12 farmers.
“Attack on Ahume and Aondona happened on Sunday and over 10 people were killed in Ahume while 20 were killed in Aondona,” police said.
Our correspondent gathered that many residents from the attacked communities were fleeing to Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West, and Makurdi, the state capital.
It was also gathered that the Chairman of the local government, Hon. Victor Ormin, in collaboration with stakeholders in Nagi, launched a search and rescue operation and has so far recovered 42 corpses between Sunday and Monday morning,
Our correspondent reports that Aondona community is the hometown of the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Most Rev. Wilfred Anagbe, and the immediate-past First Lady of Benue State, Eunice Ortom.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, Ominn described the attacks as “a clear case of genocide.”
““It’s a pathetic situation. As we speak, we are still recovering corpses. Over 30 bodies have been recovered between Sunday and Monday.
“Tse Ubiam was attacked on Saturday, just three kilometers from Naka and near a military checkpoint. I buried five people yesterday, and five others were taken to the mortuary on Saturday. We are now talking about over 40 deaths. This is genocide.”
He alleged that although soldiers were stationed in parts of the council, they failed to act to stop the attackers.
“The soldiers said they don’t have the mandate to act unless fired upon. They told me even the governor doesn’t have the authority to give them orders only the President can. It’s very clear. So, from all indications, these soldiers are not incompetent. They are just waiting for orders that have not come,”
He also disclosed that a mobile police officer, identified as Magaji, was among those killed.
“This officer was dedicated to duty. He was always stationed at that junction on Naka Road. On Sunday, he reportedly ran out of ammunition and was urging residents to flee. Unfortunately, he was killed. This is genocide,”
