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Tag: Benue community

  • Four killed in Benue community

    Four killed in Benue community

    Suspected armed herdsmen gunned  down four persons in Mbachon and Mbagbe communities in Turan, Yaav Council Ward, Kwande Local Government Area in Benue State.

     Kwande is located in Benue Northeast Senatorial Zone and the two affected communities are also to Taraba State borders with Benue.

    The incident happened last Friday.

    “They stormed the two communities at about 5pm and opened fire on people. When the dust was down, four persons were shot and killed,’’ according to Lawrence Akerigba, a member of the community.

    He told The Nation that while one body was evacuated for burial, three were missing and another person taken away by the invaders.

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    Kwande Local Government Area, which shares boundary with Taraba State, has been under herdsmen’s attacks for 15 years. In Moon District, Kwande Local Government Area, the people have had no access to their land for 16 years as it has been overrun by herdsmen who have  turned it into grazing for their animals..

    Akerigba said further “the killings are happening now that farming has resumed’’, saying if nothing was done, it would disrupt their means of livelihood and appealed to security agencies to protect the farmers to return to their farm business so that hunger would not kill them.

    The Benue Police Command said they were yet to get the report of the killings. 

  • JUST IN: Four feared killed in Benue community

    JUST IN: Four feared killed in Benue community

    Suspected gunmen reportedly killed four persons in Mbachon and Mbagbe communities in Turan, Yaav Council Ward, Kwande local government area in Benue state on Friday, May 10.

    Kwande is located in Benue North East Senatorial Zone and the two affected communities are also to the Taraba state border with Benue.

    The incident happened at about 5 pm when people were about to settle down to their various compounds.

    “They stormed the two communities at about 5pm and opened fire on people, when the dust was down four persons were shot and killed, according to Lawrence Akerigba, a member of the community.

    Lawrence Akerigba told The Nation that one corpse was evacuated for burial, while three were missing and another person was taken away.

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    Kwande Local Government area shares a boundary with Taraba state and has been under herdsmen attacks for 15 years.

    He said: “In Moon district, Kwande Local Government area, the people have had no access to their land for 16 years as it has been completely overrun by herdsmen who have turned it into grazing for their animals.

    Lawrence Akerigba said further: “The killings are happening now that farming activities have resumed, saying if nothing was done, it will disrupt farming activities now that rains have set in and appealed to security agencies to protect harmless farmers to return to their farm business so that hunger will not kill them.”

    When contacted Benue police command said they are yet to get the report of the killings. 

  • Death toll in attack on Benue community rises to 24

    Death toll in attack on Benue community rises to 24

    Death toll in the herdsmen attacks on Gwer West communities has risen to 24.

    More bodies were yesterday discovered in the bush after suspected herdsmen launched a blistering attack on Kperyisa, Adaa and Shiver communities in Gwer West Local Government area on Monday.

    Gwer West, which borders Agatu and Makurdi councils, has been under incessant herdsmen attack.

    In one of the community, mourners were said to be observing a wake when gunmen opened fire on them. Many people were killed while others sustained injuries.

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    In Adaa and Shiver, the herdsmen moved from house to house and opened fire on occupants.

    Any eyewitness, Manasseh Uke, said the attack happened between 9 and 10pm on Monday when most people were still awake.

    The dead have since been buried.

    Meanwhile, there was a peaceful protest by communities on the Makurdi-Naka road over the incessant killings.

    The protesters with placards and green leaves blocked the Makurdi-Naka highway and sang solidarity songs, calling on the Federal Government to protect farmers so they can return to their farms.

  • Mob sets suspected rapist ablaze in Benue community

    Mob sets suspected rapist ablaze in Benue community

    An angry mob in Achoho, a settlement in Gwer East Local Government Area, Benue State, has set ablaze a 22-year-old man identified simply as Botswar.

    Botswar was accused of raping and killing his brother’s wife on Friday last week.

    The Nation gathered that Botswar had accompanied the victim to the farm on the fateful day but the two did not return home.

    The Nation investigation revealed that the alleged rapist/murderer and the victim both belonged to the Ayisa Family of Achoho settlement.

    During a search, the woman’s lifeless body was found on the ground with signs of rape and machete cuts on her nape and nose.

    Botswar was later traced to Tse-Agberagba, the headquarters of Konshisha LGA where his mother remarried after her first marriage.

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    Angry youths were said to have caught him at Agidi on their way back and they did not waste time dispensing jungle justice by setting him ablaze after he was alleged to have confessed to the rape and murder of the victim.

    A source in the community who pleaded anonymity said: “The woman was Botswar’s brother’s wife. He was last seen with the woman on Friday on their way to the farm and they did not return.

    “When the victim’s body was evacuated on Saturday, it was discovered that Botswar struck the woman with a cutlass on her head and nose, and when she fell on the ground, he took her to under a mango tree where he raped her.

    It’s like the woman resisted him when he started making moves to sleep with her. So, while she was pushing a wheelbarrow in his front as they were returning from the farm, Botswar butchered and raped her.”

    The source said the mob did not hand the suspect over to the police because they feared that they might set him free.

    The Divisional Police Officer in Tse-Agberagba, Konshisha Local Government Area, could not be reached for comment at press time.

  • 10 killed in Benue community

    Benue State Police Command has confirmed that 10 persons have been killed by gunmen in Agatu Local Government Area on Sunday night.

    The killing took place in farming and fishing community called Okokolo, Benue South Senatorial District.
    Police spokesman Kate Anene, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) said the Commissioner of Police has led a team of security men to the scene of the incident.

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    Anene said normalcy has been restored following the deployment of security men.

    A member of the community, who pleaded anonymity, said the gunmen stormed the community in the night when the people were asleep and opened fire on houses killing 10 persons at the spot while others sustained injuries.

  • 10 killed, over 100 houses set ablaze in Benue community

    Over 10 persons have been killed and about 100 houses set ablaze in Aila, Egba ward, Agatu Local Government Area since crisis broke out over fishing pond in Benue State.

    The Chairman of Agbaduma Development Association (AGA), Makurdi branch, Benjamin Eigege, disclosed this during interactive session with journalist in Makurdi, Benue State capital.

    Eigege also called on the state and federal governments to deploy security men in Aila community to protect lives and property.

    He said the people of Aila have been under incessant attacks from neighbouring Egba community over fishing pond which is in dispute.

    According to him, suspected militia have so far killed 10 persons in Aila and set houses ablaze, with many rendered homeless.

    Eigege noted that the lingering crisis assumed a more dangerous dimension on 18th of March this year when an Aila man, Nghede Ibrahim, was shot dead at the fishing pond by suspected militia from Egba, an adjoining village.

    He stated further that the Acting Chairman of Agatu Local Government Council, Alhaji Oyigbocho, visited Aila community to calm down tension and to plead against reprisal attacks, but immediately he left, some suspected militia stormed Aila community and killed 9 persons.

    “They set over 100 houses ablaze and destroyed property worth millions,” Eigege said.

    More worrisome to Aila community, he said, is that when security men were deployed to the area, instead of going to Aila community, who are always at the receiving end of the attacks, they are now stationed at Egba community, the people he alleged are suspected to be behind the killings.

    He traced the history of the bloody lingering crisis to a fishing pond which is in dispute.

    According to him, attempts to get protection from the Benue security outfits have failed so they resort to “Save our Souls” messages to the state and federal governments through the media.

    He therefore calls for immediate intervention from the government to enable Aila people go back to their ancestral land and farm as raining season has set in.

    In its reaction, the Benue Police Command called for calm and promised to deploy more policemen to the area.

    Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Alhaji Oyigocho, could not be reached but a member of Agatu Local Government Council said efforts are in top gear to bring the Egba/Aila lingering crisis to an end.

    He said a meeting of critical stakeholders is schedule to hold soon so as to find lasting peace among the warring communities.

  • 15 killed as herdsmen attack Benue community

    Suspected herdsmen yesterday killed 16 persons at Ebete community in Usha Ward of Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.

    Two others were injured.

    The Nation gathered that the suspected herdsmen stormed the area at 1 am when the residents were fast asleep.

    They reportedly stormed the settlements and opened fire on houses as the people attempted to escape.

    In the ensued melee, the assailants were said to have shot at the fleeing residents.

    Sixteen residents were confirmed dead while two others sustained injuries and were reportedly receiving treatment at the general hospital in Obagaji, headquarters of Agatu Local Government Area.

    An eyewitness, Daddy Seni, told our correspondent in Makurdi, the state capital, that his father was killed alongside his siblings.

    The Acting Chairman of the local government, Alhaji Oyigocho, also confirmed the incident.

    The council chairman said he had visited Ebete community with some council members in company of security agencies.

    Also, the Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke Maj.-Gen. Adeyemi Yekini said armed bandits invaded the area.

    He said the command had not ascertained the number of casualties.

    Yekini said: “I received a report this afternoon (yesterday) that some people were killed in Agatu by suspected armed bandits. I’m not sure of the number of casualty yet, but I don’t think it’s up to 16.

    “We have sent a patrol team to the general area where the incident happened. Although it is in Benue, but it can better be accessed through Loko in Nasarawa State.”

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom described the incident as unfortunate and condemnable.

    The governor urged security agencies to forestall further attacks on innocent residents of the state.

    Ortom, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, said the state cannot afford to have another round of killings, like what happened last year.

    “Yes, I can confirm that the governor of Benue State met earlier today with the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bishi, and he confirmed that there was an attack in Ebete in Agatu earlier today in which 17 persons were killed by suspected armed herdsmen.

    “We feel that this is unfortunate because the governor has raised the alarm that some persons, for political reasons, were planning to unleashed armed herdsmen on innocent Benue people to cause fear in the people for political gains,” he said.

  • Killings: Decomposed bodies recovered in Benue community

    Following a bloody attack on Tse- Ibor and Tse- Dzungwe communities by suspected herdsmen on Friday, the bodies of  four Tiv farmers have been recovered.

    The corpses of late Samuel Dwem and Samuel Ukever were hurriedly buried. The other two were in bad shapes and could not be buried and was left in the bush. Since 2013, the communities have suffered several attacks from herdsmen.

    Leader of the search party, Tyovenda Gbumsy, told The Nation at Ayilamo town, headquarters of Tombo ward, that the herdsmen butchered late Kondom, removed fuel from his motor cycle and set him ablaze. He called on the Federal government to protect farmers in Tombo ward who have been under attacked since 2013. He added that residents of the communities have fled their homes and are now taking refuge in Ayilamo.

    A community leader, Uke Dzungwe, while speaking with The Nation, warned that if nothing is done by security agency and federal government, food crisis would hit the entire area as farmers can no longer go to their farms for fear of being attacked or even killed while herdsmen and their cows are destroying yet to be harvested crops across the area.

  • Gunmen disrupt funeral in Benue community

    There was pandemonium at the weekend in Nyamatsor, Mbagen, Mbazagee in Buruku Local Government Area of Benue State when gunmen suspected to be cultists stormed a funeral in the town.

    The funeral rites for Ayol Vehe, an engineer, were said to have gone halfway when the hoodlums, mainly youths, stormed the place at 8.30 a.m with guns, cutlasses and clubs and shots at the mourners.

    It was not clear last night if they got their target.

    Dignitaries were said to have scampered for safety as the hoodlums shot into the air.

    A leader of the Traditional Rulers Council of the local government, Chief Moses Hangeior, was reportedly smuggled away by his security aides.

    The late Vehe worked in three local government areas of Gboko, Vandeikya and Buruku.

    He was transferred to Katsina Ala Local Government Area as Head of Buildings.

    It was gathered that the son of the deceased by one of his two wives allegedly mobilised his friends to disrupt the funeral.

    Some youths were said to have arrested one of the gunmen and handed him over to the police at Abwa.

    It was learnt that a disagreement ensued in the the family over the arrest.

    Some elders reportedly mounted pressure on the police to release the suspect, saying it was a family matter.

    A source at the Gboko Area Police Command told The Nation that the command had not received the report on the incident.

     

  • Herdsmen attacked Benue community during peace meeting, say police

    Herdsmen attacked Benue community during peace meeting, say police

    The Police gave yesterday a graphic account of how last weekend’s killings in a Benue community were carried out.

    No fewer than 24 people were killed in Omusu, Okpokwu Local Government Area.

    They are to be given mass burial tomorrow.

    Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni said some herdsmen invaded a peace meeting organised by the Okpokwu  Local Government Chairman between the community and the Fulani leader following complaints of an attack, killing people indiscriminately.

    The police were alerted to a crisis situation in the community when some youths attacked some herdsmen, before what turned out to be a reprisal, Owoseni said

    The police chief said the four herdsmen arrested in connection with the killings were assisting in investigation and would be charged to court.

    Following the deployment of more security, normalcy has returned to Omusu community, it was learnt.

    Owoseni said the police had also arrested 44 persons for violating the anti-open grazing law

    He said the suspects were undergoing trial.

    The commissioner of police who reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring peace in the state, promised  that nobody would be spared for violating the law.

    He said one herdsman was recently arrested in Katsina-Ala when  some herdsmen led their cattle into a block making factory during which an altercation ensued.

    Owoseni said 10 out of 14 persons who rustled herdsmen’s cattle in Guma Local Government Area were arrested while sharing the meat.

    “The police are also involved in confidence-building patrols in Chille, Mbalagh, Makurdi Local Government Area where over 5,000 people were displaced by herdsmen.

    “As a preventive measure, we are engaging chairmen of the affected areas, relevant state government agencies and the herdsmen to  find lasting solution to the crisis. We want to urge the residents to alert security operatives of any strange movement and activities.”

    The police chief said 12 suspects were arrested for armed robbery and cultism. Weapons, including one locally fabricated pistol, one English pistol, one AK47 rifle, two AK47 Magazines, 29 rounds of live ammunition, two live cartridges, two motorbikes and one motorcycle with gadgets were recovered from them.

    Former Senate President David Mark bemoaned the renewed killings and expressed regrets that the attacks were carried out despite peace initiatives.

    In a statement  by his media aide Paul Mumeh, the senator described the development as sad and frustrating, saying that the killings had continued in spite of repeated peace moves between the indigenes and the Fulani herdsmen in the area.

    “Twenty-six persons, mainly innocent women and children, were gruesomely murdered in cold blood by assailants believed to be Fulani herdsmen”.

    Condemning the attacks, Mark said the crisis is degenerating to something akin to “war without end”, defying all peaceful approaches.

    “I am aware of various peace initiatives over the incessant clashes resulting to loss of lives and property. That the killings continues unabated is something beyond the ordinary.

    Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday gave an insight into how the herders/farmers problem  could be curtailed.

    Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the 26th Convocation Lecture of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH) in Ikorodu, Oshiomhole said a crime committed should be treated as a crime.

    “In every part of Nigeria and most communities, you will always have an area domiciled by the herdsmen and they move about their lawful business, here and there.

    “ In my house, I have a herdsman who is managing my cattle and I’m sure there are a lot of other people too who have them.

    “ But, like every other aspect of Nigeria, a couple of things might have deteriorated, including environmental and security issues among others,” Oshiomhole said.