DPO, 2 policemen, women, children killed in herders' attacks

The Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in charge of Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, Mr. Mamud Abubakar, two police personnel, two children and three women have been reportedly killed in separate attacks on Benue State communities by suspected armed herdsmen. 

A source in Naka, the Gwer West headquarters, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the murdered DPO and two other police personnel were ambushed and killed yesterday afternoon on Makurdi-Naka Road shortly after alerting the military personnel on a checkpoint of the presence of large number of armed herdsmen in the axis and their intention to attack the communities in Gwer West. 

The source said: “After alerting the military personnel of the presence of the large number of armed herdsmen on that stretch of road, the military personnel were mobilising to move into the area while the DPO, who was accompanied by two other police men moved ahead slowly. 

“But unknown to them, the armed herders had already moved close to a particular spot at Imande community near a bridge, where women sell roasted yam to travellers on the road. They shot and killed the three of them and a farmer, who was at the time returning from the farm. 

“As we speak, the people on that axis have all deserted their homes. Though before now, many had packed away from their ancestral homes when it was noticed that armed herdsmen were moving in droves into communities on that axis.” 

Meanwhile the attack on Makurdi-Naka Road came after a similar attack on Udei and Torkula villages in Guma LGA claimed the lives of two children and three women. 

It was gathered from sources in the area that the two children ages between 10 and 13 years were killed by the marauders, who stormed Udei about 9p.m., on Monday while the three women were killed by the marauders in Torkula village at about the same time. 

“They came shooting sporadically in Udei vllage around 9p.m. The people scampered but unfortunately two children were gunned down by the terrorists.

“While that attack was going on, another group almost simultaneously invaded Torkula village, where three women were also murdered. As I speak,  there is tension in Guma and people in neighbouring villages are gearing up for any eventuality.” 

Contacted, Chairman of Guma LGA, Dr. Mike Uba, said he was yet to get full details of the development, adding: “I have already sent my security secretary to the affected communities to ascertain what happened and the number of casualties.” 

On her part, the Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, who confirmed the attack and murder of the DPO in Gwer West LGA said she was yet to receive full details of the incident.

Culled from Vanguard