Benue: Over 42 killed in herders attack

*Gov Alia says attack barbaric, backs 'quit notice' issued to herders by Benue monarchs

*This is genocide — Gwer West LG Chairman 

NO fewer than 42 persons, including a Police officer, have been killed by suspected armed herdsmen, in a fresh attack on communities in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State. 

This came less than 24 hours after a priest was shot in the area by the marauders.

According to a source in the area, the attack started, Saturday evening, at Aondona community, where no fewer than 20 persons were killed, and spilled over to Ahumbe, Tyolaha and Tse Orbiam, close to a military checkpoint, where over 22 persons were murdered by the marauders. 

The source said: "The invasion spilled over to Ahume, where the marauders killed over 10 residents, including a two-year old baby, in their sleep. They also sacked Tyolaha and Tse-Ubiam community, where five and seven persons were killed, respectively." 

Lamenting the development, the Chairmain of Gwer West council, Mr. Victor Ormin, described the attack as a genocide. 

The chairman said: "It is a pathetic situation. As we speak, we are still recovering corpses, and over 30 bodies have been recovered, so far, between Sunday and yesterday. 

"The incident in Aondona community happened at about 5pm., on Saturday, till dawn, and the one in Ahume was at 4am., early on Sunday. 

"Aondona community is the home of the former First Lady of this state, Mrs. Eunice Ortom, this is the village of the Tor Gwer, this is the village of the Catholic Bishop of Makurdi, Most Revd Wilfred Anagbe. This is too much for me to condone. 

"On Saturday also, Tse-Ubiam was attacked, this is just beside the military check point, just about three kilometers to Naka. 

"I buried five people on Sunday and five others were taken to the mortuary on Saturday. Now, we are talking about 40 or more people. This is genocide." 

He pointed out that "The soldiers stationed in the area will tell you straight that they do not have the mandate to act on this, they can only engage these people, when they fire at them. They told me practically that even the governor does not have the powers to order them on this. It is only the President of the country and that is very clear. 

"We are not saying that the military is incompetent, the soldiers are waiting for orders and the mandate to do what they have to do which have not been given." 

The chairman who in a viral video threatened to quit his position, disclosed that "A Mobile police man, identified as Magaji was killed on Sunday. He had dedicated his whole life to service, he was always at that junction on Naka road whether he has bullets or not. 

"On Sunday when they came, they said he finished his ammunition and was scouting for people to leave and Magaji was killed. This is genocide."

Reacting to the development, Governor Hyacinth Alia, who expressed outrage over the incident described the attacks as barbaric. 

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor backed the directive by traditional rulers in the state ordering armed herdsmen to quit the state. 

The statement read, "These barbaric criminals masquerading as herders whose actions reveal a blatant disregard for human life and the sanctity of our communities, their cowardice in attacking innocent individuals, especially, our innocent natives, will not be tolerated.

"In the light of this tragedy, the governor reaffirms his commitment to the safety and security of the people of Benue State. He stands resolute with the traditional institution, which has recently mandated the immediate evacuation of criminal herders and their accomplice terrorists from Benue lands. 

"The governor further calls on the security apparatus to intensify their efforts in safeguarding our communities, saying, it is imperative that these criminal elements and their accomplices are apprehended and dealt with swiftly and justly in accordance with the laws of our land.

“As we continue to mourn the loss of our brothers and sisters, our very peace loving natives, let us unite in our resolve to eradicate the scourge of violence and ensure that our communities are safe havens for all," the statement added.