The Benue State Government has conducted mass burial for fifteen farmers that were murdered by suspected herdsmen at Mbakyor Community of Gwer East Local Government Area of the state.
Remains of the victims who were recently killed by the marauding herdsmen that invaded the community were laid to rest on Tuesday.
President General, Masev Development Association, Prof. Vitalis Tarhule at the event lamented that the attack marked the third time that armed herdsmen attacked the community.
Tarhule recounted that more than 40 people were murdered by the terror elements in 2014 while the second attack occurred in 2018 with the third happening in 2024.
“We are therefore, appealing to the government of the day to establish a security outfit in the community to stop these attacks,” Prof Tarhule explained.
He further called on the Benue State Government to give the community the desired protection which according to him, was the main aim they voted them into power.
Recalled that 17 parishioners and two Catholic Priests were killed by armed herdsmen at St. Ignatius Quasi Parish, Ukpo-Ayar Mbalom on April 25, 2018 during the celebration of morning Mass.
The governor of the state, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, in a funeral oration, condemned the attack and killings of innocent farmers with several others sustaining varying degrees of injuries.
Governor Alia vowed that the tragedy would be the last time such ugly incident will occur in the community, pledging his administration’s commitment to working out security strategies to put a stop to herders attack on Benue Communities.
Represented by his deputy, Barr. Sam Ode, the Governor expressed sadness over the untimely death of the victims even as he described the attack as abnormal.
He however noted that security is not an individual business but a collective one, and he charged residents of the community to always remain vigilant to protect themselves and reporting any suspicious movement to security agents.
The Governor assured the community of the government’s willingness to consider all request presented by their leaders.
The Chairman, Association of Mbakyor Sons and Daughters, Simon Kofi, also appealed for the creation of Mbakyor Council Ward, construction of access road to the community, and deployment of qualified healthcare personnel to the existing primary health care in their community.
Earlier, member representing Gwer East in the State House of Assembly, Elias Audu queried the absence of the emergency aircraft recently inaugurated by Vice President Kashim Shettima for prompt intervention in such cases were not available during the attack.
He tasked the state government to carry out investigation into the matter.
The lawmaker also called on the state government to end the Mbavur/Mbasombo crisis now that the rain has returned, by demarcating the two communities for peace to reign.
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