The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Benue attacks

  • Boko Haram suspect arrested over Benue attacks

    The Nigerian Army yesterday announced the arrest  of a suspected Boko Haram member said to have been the brain behind “most of the recent attacks in Benue State.”

    He is Aminu Yaminu who goes by the nick name Tashaku.

    Tashaku was arrested by combined troops of 707 Special Forces Brigade, the  Police and the Department of State Security Services in Makurdi,the state capital.

    The army said the suspect “is  believed to have masterminded most of the recent attacks in Benue State.”

    “Following an intelligence report,  it was gathered that AMINU has concluded plans with his cohorts in Bauchi, Borno, Yobe and Nasarawa states to launch a major attack on innocent citizens in Benue State,” the army added.

    It pledged to ensure  that “enemies of peace in the state are  brought to justice,” and advised residents of the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear.

    “They should also oblige the Nigerian Army and other security agencies with timely information that could lead to the arrests of criminal elements in our society,” it said.

  • No mosques, church attacks in Benue – Police

    The Benue State Police Command has described rumours of attacks on four mosques and another invasion of a church as deliberate falsehood.

    The state Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, said nothing of such happened in the state, adding that such rumours could cause breakdown of law and order.

    Urging the public to disregard the information, Owoseni acknowledged that it was a difficult period for people of the state and Nigerians generally because of violent attacks in different parts of the country.

    He reiterated that the violent crimes had nothing to do with religion, ethnicity or political alienation, urging the public to report suspicious persons to the police through 07058344757 or 08066006475.

    He said: “The Benue State Police Command would like to advise the public to disregard information being circulated that four mosques were set ablaze in Makurdi by some hoodlums.

    “Similar information is being circulated that another church was attacked by bandits at Agana Village in Mbaloh Ward of Gwer East Local Government Area of the State.

    “These are nothing but falsehood, believably meant to cause break down of law and order in the state. It is indeed a difficult period. “However, acts of insurgency being witnessed lately have nothing to do with religion, ethnic or political alienation. Therefore, in order to overcome the ongoing security challenges, the collaboration of all is required.

    “The command appreciates the calmness and understanding of the good people of the state. We appeal that criminal elements should not be allowed to cause any civil disturbance to achieve their selfish interest.”

  • Herdsmen kill 31 in Benue communities

    Suspected Fulani herdsmen on Thursday killed 31 persons in separate attacks on Benue settlements.

    In Ukember- Agya, Logo local government area of the state, two persons were killed by the marauding herdsmen.

    The Chairman of Logo LGA, Richard Nyajo, said the herdsmen came heavily armed, ransacked the community and set houses ablaze.

    In Agbobouhol, a suburb of Makurdi, the attackers stormed the community in the morning and shot two people dead in a broad day light attack.

    The attack took place at about 10:00 a.m. and there was panic among Wadata residents who fled the area with their personal belongings.

    The state Police Public Relation Officer, Moses Yamu, confirmed the killings and said the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, has visited the affected communities.

    Yamu said a detachment of Mobile Police Force had been deployed to the area.

     

     

  • Benue attacks: Shot livestock guard loses 4 wives, 18 children

    Benue attacks: Shot livestock guard loses 4 wives, 18 children

    Mr Akpenheen Amile, a Livestock Guard, who is being treated of gunshots sustained in the Jan. 2 attack on villages in Guma, Benue State, says he is yet to establish contact with his four wives and 18 children.

    “I am in physical pains from gunshot injuries, but such pains don’t hurt me like the inability to ascertain the fate of my four wives and 18 children,” Amile told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Makurdi.

    NAN reports that five villages in Guma and Logo Local Governments were attacked by unknown gunmen on Jan. 1 and 2.

    According to the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), 73 people have so far been confirmed killed by the invaders.

    Amile, who is married to five wives, told NAN that only his fifth wife was with him.

    The livestock guard, who is being treated at the Benue State Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), said that he was shot on one of his legs.

    “I am physically in pains, but I am more worried about the psychological pains caused by the disconnection with my family.

    “As it is, I don’t know whether they are among the dead or they have fled to some unknown destination for safety,” he said.

    Amile, who claimed that the attackers were dressed in herdsmen attire, said that they arrived “around 5 p.m. and started shooting anyone on sight”.

    Speaking through an interpreter, Amile said that he was with other Livestock Guards employed by the Benue Government to enforce the anti-open grazing law, when the gunmen descended on them.

    “We were at our camp at a primary school at Iwer, in Guma, when the gunmen surrounded us and started shooting.

    “It was while I was running for safety that I was shot on the leg. We had to flee because we were not armed. Besides, we were taken by surprise.

    “They killed many Livestock Guards and many of us were wounded.

    “Since the attack, I have not heard from my four wives and 18 children. Only my fifth wife is here with me. This is causing me sleepless nights; the situation is unbearable,” he said.