24 killed in fresh herdsmen attacks on Benue communities – Reps

No fewer than 24 persons have been killed in fresh attacks by herdsmen on communities in Benue State.

This was disclosed on Thursday by members of the House of Representatives from Benue State.

The lawmakers demanded full military presence in Benue State communities constantly under attacks by herdsmen as against ad hoc operations such as the current Operation Cat Race.

They said the fresh 24 killings were carried out between April 2 and 4, with many others missing.

Honourables Dickson Takighir, Mark Terseer-Gbillah, Samuel Udende and John Dyegh, who spoke on behalf of the Benue Caucus, demanded that herdsmen should be declared by the Federal Government as terrorists, adding that some of the killings took place with no response from security agencies.

The lawmakers also described as strange the sudden termination of the Operation Cat Race in the state by the military, while it was extended by more weeks in neighbouring states, including Taraba.

Giving the details of the latest killings, Takighir said: “These latest attacks have occurred in Ikyon and Agasha on April 3 and April 4, in Semaka, Asom, Babanruwa on April 3 and in Udei and Umenger on April 2.

“They (killer herdsmen) are right now stationed at Nzorov council ward, ready to attack Gbajimba in the Guma Local Government Area.

“There are others in Nasarawa, ready to attack Udei and Daudu with over 14 people killed in the last four days.

“Similarly, Sengev, Mbakyondo and Mbapa areas of Gwer-West Local Government Area are currently under siege by armed herdsmen.

“In Tsegaase, two people have been killed; one person is missing in Zwatema, two killed in Tse Adeke, one killed in Tse Adudu with one missing in Tsekelefu.

“So far, we have yet to confirm the casualty level in Enger.

“On April 3, four people were killed in Anyebe and one person at Mbavihi both in Tonbo ward of Logo local government.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to immediately explain to Benue indigenes and the Nigerian people why the Operation Cat Race has already been terminated in Benue without a resolution of the issue.

“We also demand that the government should deploy a proper military operation in Benue State and to also station military units in restive communities in Benue until the herdsmen menace has been dealt with.

“We urge the Federal Government to immediately declare these deadly herdsmen as terrorists in view of their inhuman, volatile and destructive activities.

“The international community should pay more attention to this ongoing pogrom of Benue people.

“We appeal for their intervention in the provision of aid to the over 190,000 internally displaced persons at different camps in Benue State.

“We believe it is only when these criminal and vicious elements are properly designated and treated as terrorists that the spate of killings will be put to rest.”