Herdsmen kill 10, injure many

*Alia orders manhunt lAondoakaa demands stronger govt action against insecurity

NO fewer than 10 persons were reportedly killed and over 15 others injured in the early hours of yesterday when suspected herdsmen attacked Sai community in Mbajir Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.

The latest attack came less than a week after the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Ardo Risku Muhammad, at Okudu community in Otukpo LGA while returning from a security meeting in Ohimini council.

Residents said the attackers invaded Sai community about 1 a.m, shooting indiscriminately at villagers, who were asleep, triggering panic as many fled for safety.

An indigene of the community, who said he lost a family member in the attack, disclosed that several residents were still missing.

According to him, “From the information at our disposal, the attackers came from neighbouring Taraba State armed with AK-47 rifles. They attacked our community about 1a.m., when everybody had gone to bed and started shooting people in their sleep.

“The attack caused panic as people struggled to escape. Ten persons were killed while over 15 sustained injuries. Several others are still missing and nobody knows whether they are alive or dead. Search efforts are ongoing.”

He added that most of the injured had been taken to the NKST Hospital in Sai for treatment, while those with critical injuries would be referred to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

The Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, Mr. Justine Shaku, confirmed the attack, saying he had arrived the community to assess the situation.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Benue State Police Command were unsuccessful as the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, could not be reached.

Alia orders manhunt

Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack, describing it as a senseless and cowardly assault on innocent citizens, and directed security agencies to immediately reinforce security in the affected area.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the governor said he received the report of the attack with a heavy heart, alleging that the assault was carried out by “terrorists masquerading as herdsmen.”

Aondoakaa demands stronger govt action against insecurity

Former Attorney General of the Federation and 2027 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate for Benue State,  Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, has condemned the recent wave of deadly attacks across Benue State, calling on the government to take decisive steps to end the persistent bloodshed and protect vulnerable communities.

In a statement, yesterday, by his Media Assistant, James Ian, Aondoakaa described the continued killings and displacement of residents as unacceptable, insisting that government must fulfill its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property.

The former minister also condemned the recent killing of Muhammad, describing the murder as “reprehensible and unacceptable.”

He urged security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for the killing.

Aondoakaa equally denounced the attack on Sai Community in Mbajir Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, LGA, where scores of people were reportedly killed and many others injured.

The PDP governorship hopeful extended condolences to the bereaved families, the people of Sai community, Mbajir Ward and Katsina-Ala LGA, while praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.

Culled from Vanguard